Sunshine Gardens Senior Community, an assisted-living facility in Durango, will host the first “Aging with Grace” community health fair on Friday to help residents connect with local health service providers.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the free event, which is open to all members of the public, offers a chance for local providers to set up booths with free samples, free services and information about their services.
“It’s just an opportunity to introduce different local services and vendors to the community,” said Kristen Collins, a marketing manager for Sunshine Gardens. “A lot of times, we take care of everyone around us and don’t think of ourselves. This event gives an opportunity to do that.”
According to Collins, these services will be offered at the event:
San Juan Basin Public Health will provide blood work testing, with results available in 15 minutes.Sage Esthetics will offer eyebrow waxing and mini-micro dermabrasion treatments.Sydney Acupuncture will offer acupuncture services.Alive Inside Foundation will offer music therapy for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.Other vendors that will attend include Lula Roe Clothing, Rodan & Fields Skin Care Line, Mercy Palliative Care, Mercy Wound Care, DoTERRA Essential Oils, Juice Plus, Infinity Rehab, Lip Sense, Alzheimer’s Association, senior ombudsman Greg Walton and Rich Schleeter, veterans benefit coordinator.
At 3 p.m., author and dementia care specialist Greg LeBlanc will give a free lecture about dementia and memory care.
“People who care for a loved one with memory impairment have a 45 percent chance of dying of a stress-related disease before the person they care for passes, so caring for ourselves is extremely important,” LeBlanc said in a prepared statement.
“There are methods for dealing with behaviors that result from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. These simple techniques can significantly lessen the stress that caregivers encounter. It’s also important to know how to ask for help.”
Collins said “Aging with Grace” was organized by Sunshine Gardens operations manager Theresa Foster, who wanted to have LeBlanc speak at an employee-training seminar.
That’s when organizers with Sunshine Gardens decided to invite the community and have a health and wellness fair.
“We’re really excited about this opportunity to interact with the community,” Collins said.
The event, located at 25 Sunshine Court, will also feature free food and beverages.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
