As Barrie’s population continues to age, a new event is hoping to make it easier for older adults and their families to navigate everything from health care and housing to finances and fraud prevention.
The inaugural Successful Aging Expo will take place Oct. 29 at Mapleview Community Church, bringing together dozens of local organizations, service providers and experts under one roof. Organizers say the event was created to fill a gap in a city that serves as a hub for services across Simcoe County, but has never hosted a large-scale annual seniors-focused expo.
According to John Tom, president of Superior Home Health Care in Barrie and one of the event organizers, the idea grew out of discussions within the Barrie Seniors Services Network, a grassroots volunteer organization that has spent years helping local agencies work together.
“In our region, what we have noticed is that there's a gap in the Barrie community,” Tom said, noting that similar events in Wasaga Beach and Midland regularly attract hundreds of attendees.
While other communities have established seniors' events, Tom said Barrie has lacked a gathering of similar scale despite being home to many health-care, social service and non-profit organizations serving the wider region.
Organizers are hoping to attract between 600 and 800 attendees in the expo’s first year. Interest from exhibitors has already exceeded expectations, with all 56 vendor booths sold and a waiting list now in place.
Listen below to our interview with John Tom
One-stop access to information
The expo is designed for older adults, caregivers and family members looking for information about aging well and planning for the future.
Exhibitors will represent a wide range of sectors, including home care, retirement living, legal services, financial planning, home modifications, health care and community support programs.
Tom said one of the biggest challenges he sees through his work in home health care is that many people simply do not know what services are available until they reach a crisis point.
“The most common thing I will probably hear from clients or maybe their family caregivers would be ‘I didn't know. I didn't know,’” he said.
That lack of awareness can make an already stressful situation even more difficult, particularly for family caregivers who are often balancing careers, children and aging parents.
“Caregivers are really stressed out,” Tom said. “This is a one-stop kind of shop where again you can kind of meet people.”
Rather than spending hours researching online, attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with local organizations and service providers, ask questions and compare options face-to-face.
“It really is supposed to make life easier, and it's a lot easier than even browsing on the internet because the internet can put you down rabbit holes and you can spend two hours there and you still don't know what you're doing,” he said.
Encouraging proactive planning
A key theme of the expo is encouraging people to plan ahead rather than waiting until a health issue, financial challenge or caregiving situation becomes urgent.
Tom believes many families are forced into reactive decision-making because important conversations about aging, housing or future care needs happen too late.
“We don't want to hear that, you know what, these are supposed to be your golden years. You really should be enjoying them,” he said. “And by being proactive and planning ahead, that's much better than being reactive.”
The expo will also feature information on fraud prevention, a topic organizers say remains a significant concern for seniors and their families. Police representatives are expected to attend and provide advice on avoiding scams and recognizing warning signs before people become victims.
Building connections in the community
Beyond information and education, organizers say the event is about helping residents connect with the people and organizations dedicated to supporting older adults.
“That there are a lot of people that care,” Tom said when asked what he wishes more residents understood about available supports. “If you're willing to come out and meet us halfway and shake our hands, you know what, and have a conversation, again, our goals should be to give people options so that they can make their own choices.”
The Successful Aging Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Mapleview Community Church in Barrie. Organizers say the first 100 attendees through the doors will receive a swag bag, while prize draws will be offered throughout the day.
For organizers, the event represents more than just a trade show. It is an opportunity to empower older adults and their families with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and remain connected to their community as they age.
