Groups come together for 2nd Senior Expo
Seniors get educated about health and other local services
Many members of the senior community came out to learn about health, food and local services at the second annual Senior Expo at Middleton Hall in Waldorf on Wednesday.
The event is sponsored by the Maryland Independent, where dozens of health institutions and other local vendors had representatives ready to provide seniors with information.
Elena Wilcox, a medical assistant with Mid-Atlantic Skin Surgery Institute in Waldorf, gave attendees facts about skin cancer and the importance of regular exams, as well as their free skin screenings by a doctor at the expo.
“As part of our mission to bringing vital information to the community, we are very happy with the success of our second annual Senior Expo. The senior community was able to have direct access with the providers of services so important to their quality of life,” said Mark Elliott, publisher of the Maryland Independent, which is part of APG Media of Chesapeake.
Kendall Selby, chef and manager of Middleton Hall, was cooking penne pasta with spinach and vodka sauce during the expo. Selby said that he was promoting healthy cooking to the seniors who attended. He also said that he hosts date night at Middleton Hall every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m., where “all the food is made from scratch.”
Siblings Carol and Danny Hall of Waldorf attended the expo together for the second time. Carol said that she liked getting the different information offered “since [she’s] a senior now.” “It’s great,” Danny said. The University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center also had several booths set up at the expo, offering information about the different services the hospital provides locally.
These local services include advanced breast health services available in Waldorf at Pembrooke Square, rehabilitation services on Garrett Avenue in La Plata and physical therapy in La Plata off of Washington Avenue.
“They now have excess to expert care, right here, close to home,” said Meredith Marr, marketing manager with Charles Regional’s Specialty Care.
Representatives for Charles Regional said that they were hoping to inform seniors to look for specialized health services locally, instead of going to cities like Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Calvin and Diane Deavers of Waldorf said that this was their second years attending the Senior Expo. Calvin said that he’s gotten “a lot of good information” from the many vendors in attendance.
Andrew Dias, a board certified hearing specialist, was at the expo with Dr. Mullin’s Hearing Center, located in Waldorf, to offer seniors free hearing evaluations by appointment.
“We want to educate seniors about the importance of annual hearing evaluations,” Dias said.
Becky Ammar of La Plata said that this year was her first time attending the expo. She said that she enjoyed a presentation about the advancing technology with hearing aids.
“There’s such a variety of services, vendors and presentations,” Ammar said.