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Happy seniors at Home Reporter and Spectators Senior Expo

April 25, 2013 Editorial Staff

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The place to be on Friday morning, April 19, for all the senior citizens in the area was the Dyker Beach Golf Course, where a dozen experts on a wide range of subjects were present to answer questions and provide information.

Its so wonderful, said Josephine Pedone, from Bath Beach, about the options available at the Senior Expo, which was hosted by the Home Reporter and the Brooklyn Spectator.

They cover almost everything for you, she added. On site, there were medics checking the elders blood pressure, doing exams to test for balance control and vertigo, and some giving sonograms of the seniors aortas.

Thats so nice that they have this for the seniors, said another senior, Wadad Panagot, who found out about the expo through the fliers posted at the Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults (BRCOA).

She initially thought she was attending an exposition of some sort, but realized shed actually be able to get checked out physically at no cost. Thank you, she exclaimed, for taking care of the seniors, as a physician assistant finished removing electrodes off her face.

Paul Gauthier, from New York Life, offered information about long-term-care insurance to those present, and Garnel Prophete and Juan Ortiz, benefit advisors from Elder Plan, informed anyone who stopped by their table about free transportation, a dental plan, over-the-counter benefits and a free gym membership.

In addition staffers from the office of State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli were on hand informing attendees about unclaimed funds. Of the 85 people who inquired whether any of that money was theirs, 18 will be receiving unclaimed funds. According to the comptrollers office, usually only 10 percent of those who inquire into the funds are matched with unclaimed funds; at the expo, the percentage was 21 percent, far better than usual.

Plan in advance; you have to think it out; have a will! urged Michael Connors, an attorney and partner at Connors and Sullivan and the keynote speaker for the morning, in his discussion of estate planning.

Everybody is here giving their time, noted Dr. Michael Szczepanski, a podiatrist and one of the speakers of the day.

Enough about me, lets talk about you, the professional said, adding that Connors, for example, could be charging hundreds of dollars an hour for his services. Instead, the speakers made a point of attending to make sure their neighbors were informed about a variety of topics.

Both Councilmember Vincent Gentile, and State Senator Marty Golden paid the expo a visit, showing their strong support for the seniors.

I want to be a senior, where do I sign up? Gentile joked, while Golden said he applauded The Home Reporter and Spectator for putting together such an event with sponsors Flushing Bank, Connors & Sullivan Attorneys at Law and Quality Healthcare.

The exhibitors at the event were 5^TH Avenue Dental Associates Aetna Insurance AARP Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics Ameriprise Financial Bright Star Care Dr. Nina Mirsakov Cardiovascular Wellness Services Carelink Connors & Sullivan Doc Mike Bay Ridge Podiatrist Edward Jones Elder Plan Flushing Savings Bank Keller Williams Realty April Pancella Haupt, Esq. Royal Care Services TransAmerica Quality Home Care The Esplanade: Independent Senior Living New York Life Insurance Optimum Home Care Prospect Park Residence Ramps for Better Living the State Comptrollers Office Sun-B Walgreens and Valley National Bank.

The 10 a.m. to noon expo was a total success with upwards of 100 senior citizens who took advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics and services, and have fun at the same time.