Life After 55 Expo offers fun, learning for seniors

What do they say in that commercial?

“Don’t trust anyone over 90,” the gray-haired surfer says.

Regardless whether the play on the ’60’s-era phrase amuses you, the commercial captures popular culture and media’s recognition that there is a shift in America to more active aging.

The second-annual Life After Life 55 Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Newton Activity Center will offer classes on topics such as healthy cooking, hobbies and pets, in addition to more than 40 exhibitors catering to older residents.

Seminars begin at 9:30 a.m. and will run every half-hour until 12:30 p.m. They include:

• 9:30 a.m., Cottonwood Room — “Leisure-Time Hobbies,” which will include presentations by Golf USA and The Creation Station. Topics include learning golf, making jewelry, crochet, scrapbooking and homemade cards.

• 10 a.m., Sunflower Room — “Sleep Better for a Healthier You” with Mattress Hub. “Medical Options for Healthy Sleep” by Dr. Barry Kimberley, MD, PhD, ENT and sleep medicine, member Newton Medical Center staff.

• 10:30 a.m., Cottonwood Room — “Healthy Cooking” by Kitchen Collection.

Nancy Schmidt, Kitchen Collections manager, said many older residents are used to cooking larger meals for their families. The class will discuss how older residents can modify their cooking for one or two people, including ways of storing leftovers.

Downsizing your kitchen will be addressed, as well as adaptive aids to help older residents who need assistance reaching or gripping.

• 11 a.m., Sunflower Room — “Looking Great After 55 Fashion Show.” The show will feature clothing from Chisholm Trail Center’s The Salon, Bon Worth and Dressbarn shown by models 55 and older.

• Noon, Cottonwood Room — “55 Things You Should Know About Pet Ownership,” presented by Caring Hands Humane Society.

Jack Brand will discuss some of the benefits and unique challenges of owning pets as you age.

Studies have indicated owning a pet can extend a person’s life, he said.

However, people who have owned large dogs all of their lives may consider going with a smaller animal that may be less of a tripping hazard as they get older.

Brand will discuss some of the challenges keeping a pet in a small space, including issues with barking, chewing and pet aggression.

Information will be available on pet adoption. Caring Hands participates in the Purina Pets for Seniors Program, which helps seniors pay for adoption fees. The humane society also currently is offering discounts on cats, which are often poplar with older adults, Brand said.

The Breadbasket will sell lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Each of the booths will offer prizes. The drawings will be at 12:45 p.m.

Exhibitors include Active Aging, Advanced Physical Therapy, Ameriprise Financial Services, Asbury Park, Buyer’s Edge, Caring Hands Humane Society, Central Homecare, Chisholm Trail Center, The Citizens State Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services, First Bank, Good Shepherd Hospice, Harvey County Department on Aging, Harvey County Historical Museum, Heartland Cardiology, Hendrickson Chiropractic, Hospice Care of Kansas, Hutchinson Credit Union, Kansas Christian Home, Kansas Health Ethics, Kansas Learning Center for Health, Kidron Bethel Village, Life Line Inc., Mattress Hub, Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, Newton Medical Center, Newton Public Library, Prairie View, Presbyterian Manor, Schowalter Villa, Senior Care Pharmacy, Social Security Administration, TOPS and Wichita Clinic-Bethel.

For more information, call 283-7555.