Fun to hear about the successful health-technology fair in Lake County. They got some nice local press on the event and it sounds like it was well attended. Thanks to the folks from Lake County for sharing it…
Lake County hosts Senior Health and Technology Conference
Jan O’Donnell, Vice Chair of the Community Partners Board of Directors, welcomed 70 participants to the 15th annual Community Partners conference focused on Senior Health and Technology on Tuesday May 13, 2014. “We know two things”, O’Donnell said, “First, technology is all around us whether we like it or not, and second, we are all getting older! We might as well become informed consumers in this changing world.”
Community Partners chose the topic of “senior health and technology” to help people learn about tools that will make life easier. Participants enjoyed a luncheon, workshops and an information fair.
During the luncheon, Jill Corbin from Home Instead Senior Care, presented Lu Cotton with the “Salute to Senior Service Award” for her many hours of service helping seniors through Community Partners and Socially Active Seniors (SAS). Kirsten Cruikshank, Director of Community Partners, introduced a video about how the organization and other partners are helping seniors learn about technology and using the internet. The video, produced by ProVideo of Duluth and funded by the Lloyd K Johnson Foundation, is available on the Community Partners website, www.communitypartnersth.org.
Patty Rowray of Lake Connections was the keynote speaker, sharing information about Lake Connections services. She also shared fun online ideas and opportunities to help people of all ages “get connected, stay connected and live connected”.
Workshops were presented by Cheryl Blue of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services; Randy Rusnak of Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss; Leah Davidson, Healthsense; Rachel Gischia and Katie Klessig, Lakeview Hospital; and Jan Ringer and Mary Aijala, Senior Surf Day Volunteers.
Twenty-four vendors shared information about senior services with participants. Ecumen, Lake View Hospital & Clinic, Lake Superior School District Community Education, and the Blandin Broadband Communities Program sponsored the event that was held at Superior Shores.
“We are just beginning this journey of exploring how technology can help us as we age in the community – there is so much to learn!”, said Cruikshank.
For more information about resources shared at conference, contact Community Partners at 218-834-8024.