Learn More About Our Senior Resource Fair!
We are excited to be hosting the 7th Annual Senior Resource Fair on October 23rd from 1-3 at the David R. Kahn Community Campus. We talked with Senior Services Social Worker, Abby Palmer and Older Adult Engagement Director, Dina Stambler about what’s new this year and what makes our fair special.
Q: What’s new at this year’s Senior Resource Fair?
Dina: This is the 2nd year that we are holding the Fair at the large pavilion on Campus. We’re expanding on last year’s model of making it an open-air fair for the safety of our community. It’s also in a beautiful place. It’s part of a community-filled day, with the It’s Fall Y’All Family Tailgate and blood drive.
Abby: We have new nonprofit organizations, service providers, and businesses this year.
Q: Who is the fair for?
Dina: It’s for older adults and their caregivers—loved ones, adult children, and others. It’s for people thinking ahead and planning for their own care.
Abby: People can plan for what’s next. It’s an opportunity for anyone to come and learn more about options and resources in our community.
Dina: It’s an empowerment model. You can plan, take control, and make decisions about what you want.
Abby: The more knowledge and awareness you have beforehand, the better able you are to make informed choices and decisions as you age.
Dina: When we did the fair virtually in 2020, some people told me that they didn’t realize that senior living communities had rentals and not just the buy-in model. There is always something new to learn!
Q: What is your favorite part of the Senior Resource Fair?
Abby: I love seeing the people, answering questions, responding to what’s on people’s minds. I love it when people just come to chat.
Dina: There’s a nice sense of community there. Everyone is excited to be there. The businesses also enjoy networking and expanding their business contacts. I tell service providers, “You should just come to meet new contacts!” For participants, it’s a lovely afternoon. People have fun and get a bag with giveaways. They have fun conversations. I think it feels hopeful—like there are a lot of possibilities out there. Most of these businesses are just eager to serve older adults.
Abby: Businesses love our senior resource fair because it’s smaller, the participants come and really want to have conversations and learn. Our community asks questions. It’s small enough that people can have in-depth interactions.
Dina: It’s not so large that people go home exhausted before they see every table.
Abby: Participants come away with more information and awareness.
Dina: It’s very positive for businesses AND participants.
Q: What do you want people to know if they haven’t been there before?
Abby: It’s a FUN event, where you come away learning something. It’s fun, it’s informative.
Dina: People will come away with helpful information and great giveaways.
Abby: It’s great for people to meet the JFS team and learn about what we do, who we are, and the services we provide.