Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Bob Larissa of Poland, right, has his blood pressure checked by Southwoods Health RN Katie Farragher of Poland during the Senior Expo on Tuesday at the Metroplex Expo Center in Liberty. The event is presented by The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle.

LIBERTY — Seniors from the Mahoning Valley and western Pennsylvania strolled around the Metroplex Expo Center on Tuesday in hopes of finding health care options, exercise regiments, dietary advice and more at the fourth annual Boomers and Beyond Senior Expo.

The event, presented by The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle, featured more than 30 vendors. From senior living and home health care agencies to financial aid and insurance agencies, there was a little something for everyone.

A to Z Dependable Services of Niles was a gold sponsor of the event. Platinum sponsor was Adult Protective Services, which is under the umbrella of the Trumbull County Department of Job and Family Services.

Joe Burkey of Niles, who came with his grandson, Antonio, said they attended the event in the past, and found it was a good way to spend time together and speak with agencies about what they offer.

“I’m interested in the health care and medicare things,” Burkey said. “And I did talk to somebody who said the program I have, TRICARE For Life, which is a military program, is the best you can get, so they couldn’t do me any good. But that’s good I guess.”

Burkey also said the amount of health care agencies at the event are a testament to “a lot of good providers in the area.”

“They’re probably the best people to be here for this type of thing,” Burkey, 76, said.

Southwoods Health representatives in attendance said the event is a great way for them to gain clients, offer information and make connections.

Southwoods nurse Katie Farragher performed blood pressure screenings. Patient liaison Lori McGlone, along with licensed counselor Nikki Snyder, brought brochures of primary care doctors, and new brochures about mammograms for the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

“We do a lot post-surgical for rehab, after joint replacements, as well as senior care and helping people in their home. This is an excellent opportunity,” McGlone said. “Our home health care division has been in place for just over a year. It’s really just getting the word out that we’re an option. You do get a choice when it comes to your health care, and we would love for more people to think of Southwoods Health and Southwoods Health at Home, when given the opportunity.”

Comfort Keepers and Comfort Care-A-Van set up their booth to spread information to seniors, and their family members, about their services. Bryce Warmouth and Joe Voytek manned their station to let each visitor know about their available services throughout the tri-county area.

“We are one of the largest providers of in-home care across the tri-county area,” Voytek said. “So, we send caregivers into the home to assist individuals with any of their personal care needs on a daily basis, all the way down to things like meal preparation, companionship, and just being present with someone while their loved ones are out.”

Voytek, vice-president of operations, continued, “We have around 30 vehicles, half of them are wheelchair accessible, to take seniors and individuals with disabilities to their medical appointments across northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. And we’re all housed in the same office in Youngstown on Mahoning Avenue, a building or two down from Star Supply.”

Tess Szenborn, 76, of Campbell, who attended the expo for the first time with her husband, Rich, said she was impressed with the event.

“We’re very satisfied with our Medicare provider, but it’s nice that they have everyone here,” Szenborn said.

She and her husband use Devoted, one of the vendors at the event.

“For myself, I’m impressed by the way, no matter what question I have for Devoted, I can speak directly to a patient rep. I don’t get transferred here, there and everywhere, and they make it very clear so that you understand what they’re telling you. I appreciate that,” she said.

Eleanore Lohry, 81, of Warren, came to the event to present her exercise class through Senior Citizens Opportunity for Personal Endeavor (SCOPE) to visitors.

“We also have technology classes, trips and all sorts of nice things,” Lohry said. “Today, we’re offering information on what we do and the different SCOPEs in the area.”

Diana Palardy, who shared a booth with SCOPE, said the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is another great way for seniors to keep busy. Palardy said RSVP offers volunteer opportunities in food pantry support, mentoring, companionship, transportation services and more.

“Or I can be your ‘matchmaker’ and get to know you, so I can find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you,” Palardy added.

One man said he came simply because he needed more pens. But Jeff Hawkins, 77, of Liberty, also said he enjoys coming to the expo because almost every year he and his wife win a gift basket.

“Sometimes we check out the health care services, like Devoted, and other Medicare supplements,” Hawkins said. “I think they’re key, for old people like me. Every year, we might go to a different plan, depending on its benefits. And the benefits are improving, I think, as years go by. They have more packages, deals and things like that. Like, now I’m with Aetna, and after you go to the hospital, they’ll give you food for about a week. So that’s a big help, and plus the over-the-counter things you can get money toward.”

Ebony Brown, a nurse with Angels at Work Home Healthcare, said her biggest focus is quality care for clients.

“We’re interacting with a lot of new clients and doing a lot of networking,” Brown said. “We haven’t done this in a while, so we want to get back out there.”