The Meridian Community Centre (MCC) was a one-stop shop on Tuesday for older adults looking to connect with services in Pelham that can help with everything from financial services and home renovation to non-profit organizations helping people and families dealing with such things as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
In total, there were 35 vendors taking part in the Town of Pelham’s Seniors Information and Active Living Fair held in partnership with the Older Adults Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO).
“It's all typically local vendors who offer services for seniors,” said Katie Kilbreath, seniors and community services coordinator for the Town. “It's just really great to get together in the same space and be able to provide all the information to local older adults in the community.”
For many visitors to the event, it can be a real eye-opener, she said.
“A lot of times people show up to the fair and don't know about the people that are here the services they provide.”
One of those people who was not aware of everything available was Lynda Stahl.
“It’s very helpful,” she said. “Of the ones that I talked to, there was some I was not aware of what they offer because I haven't needed it.”
Vendor Elizabeth Narbonne, a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society of Niagara, said fairs like the one in Pelham can help bridge the gap between the Society and someone looking for help. For instance, one young woman talked to her about her father, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
“She's going, ‘What do I do? What do I do?’” Narbonne said. “I gave her information, I took her information, and so we'll be able to come beside her and help her.”
But it wasn’t just individuals. Representatives from businesses had inquired about the Society’s aging and dementia simulator program.
“We take people and we put them in a situation as a person with dementia or Alzheimer's and we do different things with them, and they get to really understand what it's like,” Narbbone said.
Laura Byers and Jessica Tuck were at the fair representing Sedona Senior Living’s Pioneer Elder Care and Chapel Heights Retirement Home in Niagara Falls. Visitors to their booth wanted to know about what kind of care was available to residents.
“I think the unique aspect, the fact that we have all levels of care under one roof is — based on our conversations with some of the visitors today — is that they love the fact that we're lifestyle for today, but also care for tomorrow,” Byers said. “Knowing that when they come in, if they're independent, they have the option to go to the next level of care.”
Kilbreath, meanwhile, said many of the vendors taking part in the fair were returning participants but there were some new faces.
“It's just nice to see that the word is hopefully spreading, or more people are seeing it and they're applying to be part of it.”
Tuesday’s event was funded by a grant from the OACAO.
