AKRON, Ohio — More than 400 Summit County seniors have registered to attend the two-day Senior Summit Conference & Expo this weekend, which is planned to celebrate seniors while bringing together professionals and service providers from across the region.
Summit County Probate Court hosts the annual event, which offers the conference every year and expo every other year, said Lisa Mansfield, the Probate Court’s community outreach specialist.
On Friday, a professional conference will run from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at St. George Fellowship Centre, 3204 Ridgewood Road in Fairlawn.
The conference is geared for professionals who work with seniors, their families and service providers, such as social workers, guardians, attorneys, nurses and nursing home administrators.
Judge Eleanor Stormer started the conference to bring professionals together to learn from others in the field, ensure there’s no duplication of efforts locally and review best practices on a national scale, Mansfield said.
On Saturday, the expo will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Firestone CLC, 470 Castle Blvd. in Akron.
Breakfast and lunch by Vantage Aging Meals on Wheels will be served free to the first 500 seniors registered, Mansfield said.
Attendees are asked to register online, but the expo is open to the public and walk-ins are welcome.
With the population projected to comprise 30% seniors by 2030, the Summit County is working to become an AARP age-friendly community. (Photo courtesy of Summit County Probate Court)
The expo will feature more than 110 service providers, along with break-out sessions, entertainment and activities for seniors, their caregivers and families
“Very few folks are going to be trying to sell you anything,” Mansfield said. “They’re all supposed to provide some kind of service that day.”
Expo sessions include:
- Adult safety
- Tuesday Musical Group’s Decompression Chamber
- Livable Communities in Akron and Summit County
- Fall Prevention for seniors
- Cycling without age
- Sojourner Truth Project
- Fun and engagement indoors and outdoors
- Medicare demystified
- The Aging in Place Home Repair program
- Dementia Friends
Seniors will be asked to complete a survey after the expo to ensure the event offer the services and information seniors want, Mansfield said.
Projections show seniors will make up more than 30% of Summit County’s population by 2030, the county said.
