BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK … Williams County Health Department nurse Tammy Riegsecker (standing) checks the blood pressure of Pam Oberlin of Stryker (sitting) at the Williams County Senior Health Expo held Tuesday, September 30, at New Hope Community Church, Bryan.
PHOTOS BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FUTURE PLANNING … Lisa Vollmer (above), who is the assisted living wellness director at Fairlawn Haven in Archbold, discusses future residency plans with a couple of senior citizens at the Williams County Senior Health Expo on Tuesday, September 30.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Senior citizens across Williams County received valuable information about programs provided by various senior agencies, along with important health screening services, as part of the second annual Williams County Senior Health Expo held on Tuesday, September 30, at New Hope Community Church.
Sarah Stubblefield, who is the executive director of the Williams County Department of Aging and coordinator of the Senior Health Expo, stressed the importance of the event as a major link to the community.
“It’s very important and it also links all of us to the community and the different providers, community resources around here,” she said.
“Plus, we have a lot of good information today that it just needs to know about planning for your future or planning for the future of a loved one.”
She also pointed out that assessments and tests were taking place involving several health-related providers, including a glucose test, which monitors a person’s health.
“These events are important to the community to give people opportunities to monitor their health,” pointed out Stubblefield.
Among the health-related providers doing the screenings and tests were the Williams County Department of Health and Parkview Health.
“I love being out here and talking to them and giving out information,” said Jessica Runkel, who is the health educator specialist for the Williams County Health Department.
“They’re all very valuable to our community. This is my first year here, so it’s been nice talking to everybody and offering our services and giving them information, as well as the other agencies here.”
Runkel is hoping the senior citizens take any information or any resources from the Senior Health Expo so they can use them in their daily lives.
One of the highlights of the Senior Health Expo was giving each senior citizen a passport, which vendors initialed as participants visited their booths. Once filled out, they were eligible for the door prize drawing, which was held at the conclusion of the event.
Among the attendees was Catherine Montague of Montpelier, who is 92 years old, who commented that the Senior Health Expo is very important for her.
“There are so many things I didn’t know they had here you can find out about,” said Montague, who attended the Senior Health Expo for the first time.
“I like it because they give you a thorough talk on everything, and now, I have plenty of information to read.”
LaVern Franz of Edgerton, who is 86 years old, also attended his first Senior Health Expo, but one of the things on his mind was obtaining information about residing at Hillside Country Living in the future.
“This is our first one this year,” said Franz, who was accompanied by his wife, Carolyn. “I talked to a lot of the guys at the senior center and told them this is something you’re going to get some good information from.
“It’s important there is a lot of information out there that we just take for granted. A lot of things, and then you can go along, and you’ve got booths with all this different information.
“It’s one of those things that I think if you don’t do it, you missed the boat as far as I’m concerned. I’m glad the county does this for us.”
There were over 200 senior citizens in attendance for the Senior Health Expo, which also featured speakers. Brian Fulton of Ohioans Home Health presented information about falls and safety in the house, and Josh and Caleb Turnbull of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, Bryan spoke on being prepared, next of kin information, and end-of-life planning.
Andrea Miller and Tara Spisak of Parkview Bryan Hospital presented an edible cookie dough demonstration.
Following the presentations, a luncheon was provided courtesy of the Williams County Department of Aging, and the Good News Bluegrass Band presented musical entertainment.
Stubblefield appreciated the support of the Senior Health Expo committee, which consists of 15 to 20 people, along with 32 vendors who made this year’s event a huge success.
“We all really pull together in some way to pull off this event,” she pointed out. “I’m just still thankful that we have wonderful weather, that people made time to come out, they trust we’re going to put something on they find valuable.
“I’m always looking for feedback, so if there is something they wish they could see or they want something different for next year, then call me and we will get it added to the next program.”