TEXARKANA, Texas -- CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System and Townsqaure Media hosted their 25th annual Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Expo on Friday at The Texarkana Convention Center.
The Senior Citizen Expo was designed to provide attendees, especially seniors and their families, with more information about the programs and services offered in Texarkana and surrounding areas. Attendees had the opportunity to get free health screenings, speak with health experts, gather information from over 75 vendors and enter for a chance to win one of many giveaways.
As participants made their way into the lobby of the Texarkana Convention Center, there was a large black and gold balloon arch and smiling faces to greet participants while getting them pumped to enter the ballroom, where more vendors were set up.
As attendees made their way from table to table, seniors were able to mingle.
"I came out today to see all the vendors. I knew by coming I would learn a lot," attendee Jacqueline Keener said. "Those of us who decided to come are getting to learn so much about all things that relate to us senior citizens."
The Wellness Expo was able to connect seniors to resources offered in Texarkana. Resources included information on health care, retirement facilities, life insurance, government programs and more. In attendance were Bailey Creek Health & Rehab, CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, Christian Care Center, LifeShare Blood Center, Super Bingo and many more.
Special offerings included blood pressure checks and blood sugar tests, along with an ear examination and much more. The expo gave away door prizes, and attendees had the opportunity to enter in a drawing for a chance to win a TV.
"I came out today because some of the things they were advertising like estate planning I was interested in," attendee Alma Lee said. "I hope people get a better understanding and learn some things like I did."
One attendee said she made sure to come today because it's not every day that you hear about events like this that are dedicated to senior citizens.
"Once you become a senior, it seems like you're left out and feel alone. But by Texarkana doing this I know they appreciate the seniors who live in this community," attendee Minnie Singleton said.
Singleton said another reason she came out was to pick up information regarding her health and to have someone one-on-one time with nurses in attendance.
"I hope people take away that there are people in the community who care about them," Singleton said. "We got to learn so much about tips for a healthy life and healthy living. I am so thankful."
The Texarkana, Texas, Parks and Recreation Department mascot interacts with an attendee of the 25th annual Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Expo on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Texarkana Convention Center in Texarkana, Texas. The expo was designed to provide attendees, especially seniors and their families, with more information about the programs and services offered in Texarkana and surrounding areas. (Staff photo By Sharda James)
Katie Stone plays a game with an attendee of the 25th annual Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Expo on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Texarkana Convention Center in Texarkana, Texas. The expo was designed to provide attendees, especially seniors and their families, with more information about the programs and services offered in Texarkana and surrounding areas. (Staff photo By Sharda James)
Nurse Chasmine Tatum with CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System checks Jacqueline Keene's blood pressure checked at the 25th annual Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Expo on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Texarkana Convention Center in Texarkana, Texas. The expo was designed to provide attendees, especially seniors and their families, with more information about the programs and services offered in Texarkana and surrounding areas. (Staff photo By Sharda James)