YMCA Seniorpalooza caters to older adults

Seniorpalooza at the North Suburban YMCA gave older adults a chance to visit the booths of businesses tailored to their needs during last week's event in Northbrook.

Kim Nyren, director of community investment at the YMCA, said around 200 people came to visit the booths of 35 vendors located in the gym at the fifth annual event. Educational vendors, senior residences, health care providers and service vendors were among those present.

"We think it's really important to our community to have specific events for our senior adults, and we've found that a lot of our members here have been itching to get out and be a part of something," Nyren said. Seniorpalooza had to be cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

To kick off the event, more than 50 people listened as Dr. Sean Sutphen, an orthopedic surgeon from the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, gave a presentation on arthritis of the hip and knee, and provided information on how to stay healthy as a person ages.

In addition, hearing and balance screenings were available at the event, Nyren said.

Rick and Kathy Davids of Northbrook said they enjoyed Seniorpalooza, and among the vendors they said they liked best was one that offered a chance to spin the roulette wheel for a free car wash, and the booths of the several senior residence facilities present.

"I think learning about some of the senior communities was the most interesting," Rick said. "We're going to go home and start reading about all of this."