Seniors Fair focuses on aging comfortably in Timmins

Seniors fair held in Timmins The annual Seniors Fair in Timmins is aimed at the area’s aging population and highlights what services are available and what’s lacking.

Aging comfortably can be daunting for seniors and those nearing that stage of life.

Recognizing this, the local United Way and the Social Planning Council revived the city’s seniors fair to showcase the city’s services in a larger venue.

“It's essential for our seniors to know what services are available. Both in the health care and social services, as well,” said Jennifer Gorman of United Way Centraide North East Ontario.

Attendees perused around 30 vendors, checking out services and programs they may not have realised were available, like free transportation.

“If ever you need to go to medical appointments, we even do trips to Sudbury,” said Jocelyne Claveau of the Canadian Red Cross.

“Hair appointments, grocery shopping, like that, we provide the rides.”

There’s also a chance to brush up on health and safety tips, accessibility and retirement living -- and a reminder that many local programs need volunteers.

“We have recently set up a volunteer centre, so it's opportunities for seniors to come volunteer for many agencies,” Gorman said.

Gorman said the event saw more than double the turnout of previous iterations.

Timmins resident Diane Rust said she found it helpful.

“Sometimes it's hard to find the correct person to contact,” Rust said.

“So this is good because we go to each table, they give us contact information … I take it back to my church and to other organizations.”

It’s also a reminder of what is still lacking.

“My friend needs injections in the eye and I drive her to North Bay every three to four months, so she could have that service,” Rust said.

“That service is not available here.”

That's part of the reason the fair included an exit interview for those in attendance.

“We've already had the feedback that they'd like to see more service clubs and things that they can sign up for on that, and so we will certainly take that into consideration for next year,” Gorman said.

Officials said it’s also important to socialize.

“Even my mother's here,” said Timmins Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic.

“She's 83 years old. She doesn't need services, but she's talking to people that she hasn't seen in a while and that's wonderful.”

With more than 16,000 Timmins residents who are 50 and older, organizers said it’s crucial to provide services and information to help seniors age as gracefully as possible.