Local Seniors Attend 24th Annual Expo

SANTA BARBARA — Local seniors took over the Earl Warren Showgrounds on Wednesday morning for the 24th annual Senior Expo. For $10, 1,100 seniors got a flu shot, a snack and the chance to see what is being offered to help the older residents in the area. Every year the expo draws a big crowd. For this year’s event, more than 90 exhibitors set up shop, catering to the seniors’ needs with information about retirement facilities, health care and transportation. “Any kind of products or services that may be of benefit to our seniors to help them age in a healthy way,” said Jeanne West, Senior Expo chairperson.The event is a collaboration with non-profits, the city, hospice and health services like Cottage Hospital and Sansum Clinic. Cottage and Sansum donated the flu vaccines for those 55 years old or older. “Oh, I just love it! You know I get my flu shot, you get something to eat and then you see your friends here. So it’s really, really nice,” said Audrey Hashibe, Santa Barbara resident.Besides getting information and a flu shot, the seniors dropped by Fit Stop, a section of the expo to get their blood pressure and bone density checked as well as balance and home safety. “It’s kind of a one stop shop. You can learn so many things about what’s going on in the community,” said Donna Gill, Sansum Clinic.For most of the seniors, this wasn’t their first time at the expo. They plan for the event every October. “It’s a terrific community service because if you had to try to use your computer or go through the yellow pages you would take hours to do what you could do in a few minutes right here,” said Lee Moldaver, Santa Barbara Resident.More than 100 volunteers donated their time from 9 a.m. to noon.