Senior Health Expo to return with ample resources

BREVARD COUNTY — The first Senior Health Expo of the season is just around the corner, and with its return comes all the resources aging residents and their children may need to know.

Serving as a one-stop shop to learn about what’s new in insurance and legal information, health screenings, fraud protection and social groups, this free expo is one that seniors should take advantage of attending.

The Senior Health Expo is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26 at the Wickham Park Community Center, 2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne.

Anyone who brings canned dog or cat food for the Brevard Humane Society, or shelf-stable foods for the local food bank, will receive four extra door prize tickets.

“What makes the expo so popular is it’s a good mix of knowledge and fun,” said Nina Verruso, event coordinator. “I’ve heard a lot of people say they didn’t realize certain resources were available or they were eligible for something.”

Besides the snack tables that also serves coffee, and the giveaways that occurs every 15 minutes, the expo is a fun way for seniors to socialize and see friends they haven’t met up with since the last expo.

Ms. Verruso said the expo provides seniors with an opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives from a variety of agencies without having to wait on the phone for someone to be available.

She strongly encourages attendees to come prepared with questions, lest someone forget an important question they had once they’re talking with someone.

“If you’re educated about what’s available to you, you feel empowered to make the best decision for your health and wellbeing,” Ms. Verruso said.

Medicare, for example, is one topic Ms. Verruso has seen seniors struggling to understand. She explained the difference it makes from being able to attend an expo and speaking with a representative who can better explain what plans may work best for the individual.

“If you know all that you need to know, then you can make the best decision versus doing it without understanding and then finding out later on when you need something that it’s not covered,” Ms. Verruso said.

She added, “Or you find out that you’ve been paying so much for something, and you could have gotten it included in another plan that you didn’t have to pay anything out of pocket.”

Health screenings for blood pressure, sugar level and cholesterol, plus hearing tests will be open to attendees at no cost.

Flu shots will be given out at the next expo on Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Merritt Square Mall.

To learn more about the expo, call (321) 773-1454.