Aging Gracefully: The Next Steps

So, you are living in Paradise, here in Collier County. You moved down here when you were freshly retired with lots of energy to go places and do things. But lately you’ve been slowing down. Your children are starting to ask those difficult questions, like: “Do you think you should move back up here so we can be closer and take care of you?”

Or maybe you are that son or daughter whose parents are starting to slow down. And you, too, have lots of questions.

“Too often the need for additional services sneaks up on us as older adults,” says Scott Berner, chair of the Board of Human Care at Marco Lutheran Church. “I’ve worked with adults in challenging positions for my entire professional career, but I got caught off guard when my father needed additional help. I don’t want that to happen to anyone else.”

So what’s your next step? Consider attending the Graceful Aging Senior Expo co-sponsored by Marco Lutheran Church and Lely Palms on Friday, March 13, from 8:00 AM–2:00 PM. Both breakfast and lunch will be served. This free event offers you the opportunity to visit the vendors and attend informative sessions on mobility, veteran support services, home health care, elder law, and other senior benefit services in the morning and learn more about senior living services and availability in the afternoon.

Renee Smith-Gonzales, senior care advisor at Lely Palms, explains the day’s activities. “We wanted to put together information that seniors and their families might need. Not only will there be printed information seniors can take, but we’ve added the opportunity for folks to talk to the people who offer senior services.”

Be sure to take time to stop by the Graceful Aging Senior Expo and get a start on knowing where you can get help – and what you might need to do to be fully prepared to age gracefully!