SAN DIEGO — We want to tell you about a free one-stop-shop resource fair for San Diego seniors in need of information on just about any topic imaginable. In this Zevely Zone, I preview a free three-hour resource fair for seniors.
The San Diego County Council on Aging Resource Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center, located at 8695 Spectrum Center Boulevard in Kearny Mesa. You'll hear from educational speakers discussing County Aging and Independent Services, Medi-Cal Transformation Program, and the latest elder scams. Plus, you can visit aging resource exhibitors including home care, home health, hospice, legal and financial services.
"We know that senior isolation is a huge problem in our community," said Anna Arancibia, Executive Director of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA. She told us about the YMCA's partnership with the San Diego County Council on Aging.
"It's just amazing that they have so many free resources available to seniors," Arancibia said.
The San Diego County Council on Aging is a multidisciplinary Organization that Promotes Education, Awareness, and networking in San Diego County to enhance quality of life for seniors. The specific purpose of the San Diego Council on Aging (SDCCOA) is to promote and assist in the provision of the reasonable rights of the elderly citizens in the community and to provide an active forum for everyone interested in senior issues in San Diego County. SDCCOA shall work for uniting the elderly, senior citizen organizations, as well as all interested people, to improve the welfare, rights, protection and quality of all life of elderly citizens.
"One thing I have learned over the past few years is there are a lot of resources available for seniors to make their lives even better, and there are a lot of seniors who need those resources but they don't always know about each other," said Bryan Devore, the volunteer president of the nonprofit. He is proud to offer a one stop shop for questions about hospice, real estate, financial concerns and healthcare.
Senior's biggest concerns
We spoke to seniors about their greatest concerns.
"Cost of medicine," said 69-year old Jackie Marshall. "Medical insurance and medicine is just too high right now."
"Transportation safely," said 76-year old Miriam Simons.
"Health, for me, physically health," said 69-year old Marie Wiley.
Bryan Devore told them "You know absolutely, so they are going to talk about different services that are available through the county for medicine including the The Medi-Cal transformation program."
"I know a lot of elderly people in my neighborhood, and this will be nice for them," said Jackie in response.
The San Diego County Council on Aging also donates money to other nonprofits that help seniors live better lives such as BLISS and the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.
"It helps significantly, in the sense that we do not turn anyone away due to their inability to pay," said Anna.
What seniors hope the resource fair will offer
Miriam Simons, who is visually impaired without a car, plans to attend the resource fair and ask how she can get around town safely.
"How do you get there, and second of all once you are there, how do you navigate around when you can't see well?" said Miriam.
"I want to check it out," said Jackie Marshall.
"I would love to go because it sounds like it has great information," said Marie. "Seniors deserve joy, happiness, they have lived a whole long life," said Anna.
The free event takes place in Kearny Mesa from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 20. It will offer a free continental breakfast. The event takes place at Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center located 8695 Spectrum Center Boulevard in San Diego. For more information you can call 800-82-SHARP, OR click here.
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