Staff photos / R. Michael Semple Yolanda Oliver of Youngstown, right, watches the Direction Home of Eastern Ohio spinning wheel to see which prize she has won as Jerri Romito of Poland, an employee of Direction Home, looks on. In the background at the agency’s booth is Brittany Kennedy of Austintown. The agency was one of many vendors at Tuesday’s sixth annual Boomers & Beyond Senior Expo at the Metroplex Expo Center in Liberty.

LIBERTY — Baby boomers, older seniors and caregivers were among those who braved Tuesday morning’s heavy rainfall to attend the Boomers& Beyond Senior Expo at the Metroplex Expo Center.

The event brought together those who work with the area senior community and those looking to maintain their overall well-being and quality of life as they age.

The Vindicator and the Tribune Chronicle newspapers sponsored the event, which drew about 500 people throughout the day.

Sue Shafer, community events coordinator for the newspapers, said, “We offer a wide variety of vendors from Medicare and health care facilities to veteran organizations, so that seniors and their caregivers can come to get information. It is better to get that information before you are in need of senior services for yourself or for a loved one, so that you will be ready.”

The first two people entering the event were a Gustavus couple, Pam Kuhn and David Bailes, who have been attending the annual event since it began six years ago.

“It keeps the seniors up to date on what’s going on. Everything is changing. They can’t forget the old boys and girls,” Bailes said.

Kuhn added, “I had back surgery five years ago. This event helped me learn what I could and could not do after surgery. We have a lot of friends we tell about this, and we will see them here.”

Kerri Frost was available to answer questions about A to Z Walk-In Showers, a Niles-based company. She said the company also offers total bathroom remodels and flooring services, but it specializes in walk-in showers with textured floors, grip bars and built-in seats.

Alzheimer Network volunteer Tina Brown said that their all-volunteer, nonprofit organization is available to keep people informed, to get information about Alzheimer’s disease out to the public and to offer support groups.

“It is not just the people who are going through it now, it is the caregivers too, who often overlook their own needs. You get so involved, you forget to take care of yourself,” Brown said.

Tracy Shimko and Diana Glaspell, both of Warren, attended the event for the first time after Glaspell read about it in the newspaper.

“I have a neighbor who has really bad feet. I got information for her at the Foot Care Information Center and Foot Clinic,” Shimko said.

Both Shimko and Glaspell said they received a lot of information and valuable items to take home and plan to return next year.

Comfort Keepers Human Resources Director Bryce Warmouth explained that the company services the tri-county area, providing nonmedical care. The home health agency provides non-emergency medical transportation, as well as laundry services, errand running, rides to the store, light housekeeping and help with bathing and grooming, among other services. They accept a wide range of government programs as well as private pay.

Several assisted living and independent living providers were available to answer questions and hand out literature about their facilities, including Ohman Family Living, a third-generation, family-owned facility in its 60th year of operation.

“We are located in Middlefield, next to Mary Yoder’s, and have brand-new independent living cottages available, as well as assisted living facilities. We are equipped to provide high-acuity respiratory care,” said Alex Mostoller, clinical liaison and director of respiratory therapy.

The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission aids veterans, their families, and surviving spouses.

“We help veterans and their families navigate the VA at the federal, state and county level. There are also county veteran services available. All eighty-eight counties in Ohio have veteran benefits,” said staff member Corban Baker.

Podiatrists Dr. Angela Krupka and Dr. John Witter of Barak Podiatry in Canfield said they were there to reach out to the population about services available to seniors, providing an example about which seniors might not be aware.

“Insurers offer routine toenail care every 62 days and diabetic shoes and inserts once per year,” Krupka said.

Absolute Benefit Solutions is a health insurance agent with offices in Howland and North Jackson.

“We do not look at who has the best plan. We take the individual into consideration. We fit the plan to that person. We work with the person on a regular basis to ensure everything is ok with their health insurance plan, said Amber Potts, an agent at the Absolute Benefit Solutions Howland office.

Walt Galonski of Niles said he has been attending the event for three years.

“I come for the information they provide and for the services available for senior citizens,” Galonski said.

The first two people to enter the event, Kuhn and Bailes, also were among the first to leave.

“I got some phone numbers because my insurance plan is changing,” Kuhn said.