Nonprofit hosts health fair to educate local seniors

By Leah Rainwater

Older adults at the Joyce Ray Patterson 50+ Activity Center learned about all things health care last week.

Northwest Professionals in Aging, a nonprofit that aims to education and advocate for the senior population in Northwest Missouri, hosted a health fair on Aug. 22.

The fair featured representatives from different businesses like Meierhoffer Funeral Home, Freudenthal Home-Based Healthcare, Rogers Pharmacy and more.

“Our goal is to educate seniors so seniors on anything health care,” said Shae Mason, the president of NWPA. “Even medications, we have people who do insurance, all kinds of different people are in the group.”

When asked about why the group does health fairs, Mason said the fairs provide a way for people to browse and learn about resources available to them.

“A lot of people don’t want to think about getting old or services they may need,” said Mason. “But it’s always good to try to plant the seed so they know what’s available to them when they need it.”

At the end of the year, the nonprofit also gives away close to $3,000 to other nonprofit organizations that serve senior citizens in the Northwest region of Missouri.

This past year, they were able to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association, Interserv Meals on Wheels and Second Harvest Food Bank Senior Boxes.

Mason says the nonprofit plans to host more health fairs and that anyone can attend.

Whether it’s for your mom, grandpa or a friend, the fair offers resources to help with the stress that comes with getting older.