Hundreds of seniors gathered in Northeast Philly on Thursday for a vibrant celebration of healthy living at Metro Philadelphia’s Healthy Aging and Wellness Expo. Attendees enjoyed demos, scored free giveaways and listened to expert talks aimed to empower older adults to take charge of their well-being.
More than 15 exhibitions were on hand to share information about health and home care, exercise, nutrition, vision and hearing aids, and medical marijuana, among many other topics.
“There’s a lot of really good information here. I didn’t realize that some of these services were available… services I might need in the future,” said Northeast Philadelphia resident Zee Olmo during Thursday’s Expo. “This information is great.”
“I love giving back to the community I grew up in,” added Chris Klatt of Cornerstone Caregiving. “We want to spread awareness, and be a resource for the senior community.”
Many of the exhibitors have strong local ties to Philadelphia. KC Cleaning, for example, is locally owned and operated. It is located in the Torresdale section of Northeast Philly and offers a wide range of cleaning and maintenance services that are beneficial to seniors.
“There are so many great organizations available to help seniors, but not that many to really support them with their home,” KC Cleaning’s Joseph Kennedy explained. “We can help them with preventative maintenance like changing air filters, dryer vent cleaning — things that can keep them safe in their homes.”
Metro Philadelphia — also locally owned and operated — was also on hand Thursday to offer insight on its services.
“We’ve had a lot of great interactions with people and the community,” said Thomas Fraind. “People need to know that there’s private people that can help them with hearing loss. There are a lot of budget-conscious options for them.”
Additional sponsors of the Healthy Aging and Wellness Expo include CenExel, Restore Dispensaries, SightMD, Boston Scientific, Wesley Enhanced Living, and Trinity Health at Nazareth Hospital.
The Expo featured a diverse range of exhibitors, all focused on supporting the unique needs of older adults. Exhibitors included Care and Help Home Care, Chosen Family Home Care, Cornerstone Caregiving, Roosevelt Rehab, SarahCare, St. John Neuman Center for Rehab, and Stay at Home Healthcare.
There were also health and wellness professionals on hand to provide valuable resources and one-on-one consultations, helping seniors live healthier, more active lives.
“Health aging is so important — both with mental and physical health,” said Lisa Wilkins of CenExel.
“As a senior myself, to be out within the community and be able to provide information that can help people, it’s great,” added Victoria Hestor, CenExel’s lead recruiter and specialist. “We want to provide education. We are here to help.”
