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Northwest editioN reachiNg seNiors iN illiaNa: cook, lake & Porter couNties
October 2025
Vol. 29, No. 7
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
Resource fair connects seniors with community Text and Photos by STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer Talk about one-stop shopping for seniors. The Valparaiso Family YMCA’s third annual Senior Resource Fair brought nearly 50 agencies on health, wellness and aging service to one location to connect with seniors. Alyse Kominakis, the Y’s wellness director, reported 45 vendor tables had been reserved for the Sept. 11 program. “The idea,” Kominakis explained, “is that we have a large senior membership, and at the same time some of our local businesses want to connect with our seniors, so it was mutually beneficial to everyone.” The fair also provided new information about existing agencies. Valerie Martinez, marketing and resource director for Porter County Aging & Community Services, said the agency has added two new programs, a chair yoga class twice a week and a hygiene bank. Open Mondays and Wednesdays, the bank provides free essentials including deodorant, soap, shampoo and feminine hygiene products. “There’s a need for that stuff, which can be pretty costly,” Martinez said. PCACS continues to offer a medical loan closet, ramp program, energy assistance and low-cost transportation. According to Martinez, PCACS serves 17,000 clients annually, 15,000 of whom are seniors and those with disabilities taking rides. At Porter-Starke Services, Angela Wehner leads the Wellness Institute for Senior Education Program. The six-lesson program covers topics about
CONNECTING RESOURCES — The Valparaiso Family YMCA hosted its third annual Senior Resource Fair in early September. The YMCA reserved 45 vendor tables for the fair. Vendors offered information on health, wellness and community services. health and wellness for older adults. “We want seniors to understand that as we age, there are risk factors,” Wehner said. “We want seniors to build up proactive factors.” When people retire, Wehner explained, they lose their routine and support system, as well as income. “These changes can lead us to make decisions that are not the healthiest for us,” she said. Wehner added, “We want to make sure people are
surrounded by their community and that we remove risky actions. Getting older can be hard and scary and we want seniors to find that positive connection.” From Powers Health, registered nurse Shannon R. Hough works in pre-diabetic screening with Reducing Underdiagnosed Diabetes Initiative. “We know making simple changes make a big difference, and education is an easy first step,” Hough said. Among the changes peo-
RESOURCE FAIR — The Valparaiso Family YMCA’s Senior Resource Fair September provided information on a variety of community services, from health and wellness to hospice to athletic footwear.
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Porter County Office:506 Evans Avenue Lake County Office:
County 1st Office: Lake Plum County Office: 409Porter E. Lincolnway, Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 57 Street, Suite 203 409Franklin E. Lincolnway, 1st Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222Plum Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Phone: (219) 548-0980 Schererville, Indiana 46375 Schererville, Indiana 46375 , LLC Phone: (219) 548-0980Fax: (219) 548-0993 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: 227-4884 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: (219)(219) 227-4884 *Certified as an Elder Law Attorney the National Elder Law Foundation *Certified as an Elder Lawby Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation
Connie Bauswell, CELA* Connie L.L.Bauswell, CELA* www.conniebauswell.com www.conniebauswell.com