Keeping seniors staying healthy

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind was among over 50 organizations and businesses at the North Innisfil Health Service's senior health fair, which took place at The Wheel in Sandycove Acres last week. Barb Ennis knows many seniors face health challenges on a daily basis.

An orientation and mobility specialist for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Ennis sees that many of the people served by the organization are elderly.

So for years, the organization has helped provide referrals, or computer, reading, walking and independent living training for seniors. It's something that can greatly improve their quality of life.

"Most of our clients are over the age of 65," she said, during a senior health fair at The Wheel in Sandycove Acres last week. "We usually hear about someone through their eye doctor, or a family member or friend. At CNIB, we try to provide seniors with the skills to stay in their own homes.

"We're also networking here."

North Innisfil Health Services hosted the fair. In total, over 500 people were expected to view 56 exhibits and displays, featuring information from a variety of vendors and organizations that cater towards seniors. The exhibitions covered several common issues faced by seniors, from retirement home living and paramedic services to fraud concerns and dentures, said health services director Pat Dryden.

Tarvo Puust, his wife Leila and daughter Kalla manned the Innisfil Denture Clinic booth at the seniors health fair. "We try to cover every aspect going," she said. "The money raised goes to our (health service) clinic.

"To sit down and look in the phone book to find the agency I need can drive you nuts. We have over 2,000 seniors living (in Sandycove). It just puts everything in one place to see these things are available."

Dryden says the event can also be beneficial for vendors.

"It's marvelous, people were coming in before the vendors even finished setting up," said Dryden. "Seniors can come here and see what there is to have."

Others agree, suggesting many of the residents in attendance were interested in several of the services provided.

"This is a good opportunity for anyone who has questions to come by and get an idea about dentures," said Tarvo Puust, of the Innisfil Denture Clinic. "Seniors are essential in our business, especially the retirement community (in Sandycove). It seemed like a natural fit to come here."

For more information on the CNIB, call Ennis at 728- 3352, ext. 5274. For more information in the denture clinic, call 436-1886 or visit www.innisfildenture.com.