Expo gives seniors resources

Published 9:44 pm Tuesday, April 15, 2014

COMMUNITY HOSPICE & HOME CARE | CONTRIBUTED COOKIE PACKAGING: Jackie Butcher, RN, smiles for the camera as the Beaufort County team with Community Hospice & Home Care gathers prior to starting their day to bag 1,200 cookies. The cookies will be given away at the Senior Expo that will be held April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Beaufort County Community College. Community Hospice is proud to be a partner with the Grace Martin Senior Center in order to reach out to, educate and thank the seniors in our area.

COMMUNITY HOSPICE & HOME CARE | CONTRIBUTED
COOKIE PACKAGING: Jackie Butcher, RN, smiles for the camera as the Beaufort County team with Community Hospice & Home Care gathers prior to starting their day to bag 1,200 cookies. The cookies will be given away at the Senior Expo that will be held April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Beaufort County Community College. Community Hospice is proud to be a partner with the Grace Martin Senior Center in order to reach out to, educate and thank the seniors in our area.

 

Seniors will celebrate the magic of maturity at the 2014 Senior Expo, which returns to Beaufort County Community College on Thursday.

The Expo had been moved off campus, last year, according to Judy Jennette, director of BCCC Foundation.

“They really wanted to bring it back and make it more interactive with the college,” said Jennette. “We’ve been working together to make it a bigger and better event. It will showcase what the college has to offer and let them have a bigger event for the seniors.”

Jennette said that, this year, the Expo will host Daryl Strickland’s “YESTERYEAR” Inspirational Magic Show, a 40-minute performance of magic, inspiration and laughter, leading the audience down memory lane. Strickland has performed many years, both for children and adults, in nursing and rehab facilities, senior centers and retirement villages, providing clean family entertainment.

According to Jennette, Vidant Health will be offering free blood pressure and blood sugar testing to seniors in Building 12, where most of the activities will take place. Seniors will have the opportunity to visit Buildings 5 and 11 and receive a free manicure throughout the day as well as free massages from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Building 11, courtesy of the Cosmetology Department.

“You can get your hair cut and nails done at our Cosmetology Department on campus,” Jennette said. “It helps our students to train.”

Seniors will also receive information and goodies from vendors pertaining to different resources in the area, including hospice care, funeral homes and retirement communities. The vendors will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Building 10 of the college.

“What the college wants to do is help seniors understand what is available to them at the college,” Jennette said. “Vidant Health wants to show just how expansive their services are. The Senior Center, downtown, wants more seniors to understand what they have to offer them. It’s a great way for all of the senior-oriented service businesses to showcase what they are doing in the community.”

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be shuttle transportation, provided by Beaufort Area Transit System, for those who may have difficulty in traveling across campus. Starting at 11 a.m., the college cafeteria will offer $5 lunches to seniors, which will include a sandwich, French fries and a drink.