By Jobyna Nickum

In mentioning the Plateau Senior Health Fair and Resource Expo to someone the other day – she said to me, “Oh, I’m not a senior – and my parents live in another state.” As if that was a valid reason not to attend! Please, people, if you haven’t listened to me before – here’s your chance!

We are all aging! You, me, the 38-year-old clerk at the store down the street – we’re aging! All of us know people who are aging! We all know the 81-year-old gentleman who says loudly, every chance he has, “I’m not old! I am not a senior!”

We live in a culture in which being young is great, and being older is something to deny and dread.

Well, the times they are a changing! We have more older adults living in the world today than ever before in the history of the planet. In the United States – we are an “aging country.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau by 2035 some 70 million people will be age 65 and older. This is a number more than twice the current population of Canada.

So why am I standing so tall on my soapbox this morning? Because your community’s health fair will have so many wonderful resources for older adults, and their family members who are assisting them. Because thinking ahead, being prepared – knowing what might be facing yourself or your parents – is the right thing to do! If you are dealing with caring for aging parent issues or if you yourself are dealing with Social Security and Supplement Health Insurance issues, or retirement issues – you will want to attend our Senior Health Fair on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Enumclaw High School commons, 226 Semanski St. Even if you don’t think you will learn anything new – there is actually a very good chance you will!

We have a wonderful assortment of agencies attending: assisting living facilities, Veteran’s Administration, health and nutrition, Pilates, massage, driver safety for those 55 years old and older, assistance with insurance questions, in-home care services, wellness activities, housing and transportation options on the Plateau.

Be serenaded by the fabulous Harmony Kings, the Northwest’s own men’s chorus. Beautiful songs from yesteryear, harmonizing to the classics and always a few jokes thrown in! They will start performing at noon. Laughter and joy create endorphins, a natural anti-depressant, come get a buzz!

Mark your calendars! Call up a friend. Plan on a great day out in your community!

Walk through the vendor tables, get your cholesterol and blood pressure checked, have a nice, 10-minute chair massage, enjoy a “sample” of a reflexology treatment. You can do so many different things – from looking inside your ear canal, learning what trips are out there for older adults and how do you sign up for the local garden club?

The Enumclaw Senior Activity Center’s Plateau Senior Health Fair and Resource Expo – is one of the biggest and best attended senior health fairs in the south King County region – and it is held right in your own back yard! Take a chance! Try something new and different and out of your “comfort zone!”

We will see you there!