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Senior Expo was a learning experience

By CHUCK BALLARO - | Jan 16, 2023

The Hot Flashz 45+ dance troupe performs at the third-annual Senior Expo at the Lee Civic Center on Saturday. CHUCK BALLARO

What do you need to know about Medicare and Social Security before signing up? What are some of the things seniors need to consider regarding their estate and arrangement planning?

On Saturday, at the third-annual Senior Expo at the Lee Civic Center, seniors got answers to all those questions, where nearly 100 vendors, from insurance agencies to healthcare providers to cremation services came to promote their products.

This event was rescheduled from October as the civic center was being used as a staging area for linemen after Hurricane Ian.

Rachel Earp, owner of Earp Enterprises, which hosted and promoted the event, said they wanted to bring experts on senior living to Lee County to show them the ropes and help them with a variety of things they need to know.

“We’ve done a ton of advertising and we love the community. We have physicians and chiropractic, Medicare, all the carriers and a lot of great sponsors,” Earp said. “We even have COVID-19 shots outside. We have such a variety.”

There were many local companies, such as Gulf Coast Village in Cape Coral, which is run by Volunteers of America, promoting their senior living facility.

Lynne Talbot, community relations director, saw the event as a great opportunity to meet people who want to learn about Gulf Coast Village and another at-home service they are now providing.

“We also have a Senior Choice at Home program for those who don’t want to leave their home and age in place,” Talbot said. “We give them the same benefits and peace of mind as a life-care contract at Gulf Coast Village.”

Alyssa Cook, community outreach director at The Waters of Cape Coral, promoted her boutique senior community where those who are in assisted living and memory care are in rentals and are soon to open an independent living facility nearby.

“The best part is that it’s all inclusive. You’re paying all your utilities, rent, laundry all onto one bill,” Cook said. “We want to showcase independent living in Cape Coral that hasn’t been there before.”

Joe Giudice, of Smart Cremation, said seniors want to help protect their loved ones when it comes to their final arrangements.

“Most of our clients are 60-plus, so we figured this would be the place to get the word out and invite them to our luncheon seminars,” Giudice said. “We’ve helped a lot of people and one call starts the process. When you put a plan in place, you lock the price forever.”

Lisa Musial, an attorney and president of the Cape Coral Gold Coast Rotary, had a booth for estate planning so those who have a will and a plan don’t have to wrangle in probate.

“We love helping those who needs their plans updated or start a plan if they don’t have one,” Musial said. “People can end up in probate for months or even years, so you need a plan in place.”