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Expo offers info to seniors

by MAUREEN DOLAN
Staff Writer | September 3, 2010 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - Jill Lunsford smiled Thursday as she looked across the room at the Young at Heart Expo at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

The event offered a host of information about local services, products and opportunities of particular interest to seniors and members of the Boomer Generation, the wave of Americans, now 78-million strong, born between 1946 and 1964.

"This is a good idea because the senior population is growing. It's a big demographic," Lunsford said. "We, as citizens, need to address this."

Lunsford, sales team manager at Golden Spike Estates, a 55+ residential community in Rathdrum, was one of 48 exhibitors at the exposition sponsored by The Press.

Several hundred members of the public turned out to browse the tables and talk to representatives from various companies and agencies specializing in health care, finance, retirement communities, assisted living and more.

Sandy West, of Rathdrum, said she and her husband wanted information about reverse mortgages, a finance option available to homeowners who are at least 62.

"The thing I'm most interested in are the retirement communities," said Laura Busson of Hayden.

Busson, at 51, said she wanted to see what's available as she approaches the age where she might want to move from the home she now owns.

"It's all about planning for your future," said Andreas John, coordinator of the event for The Press. "How do you plan for retirement? Do you need a living will? What do you do when your hearing starts to go, or you lose your hair?"

Ann Sandstrom, of Coeur d'Alene, picked a prawn hors d'oeuvre from a tray held by one of several Resort staffers circulating the room with food offerings during the event.

She smiled and said she found the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's table interesting, as well as her visit to the table where Tamara Wells, of Tamara's Hair Studios, offered a showing of wigs and information about other services for those experiencing hair loss.

"And the chocolate was delicious," Sandstrom said.

Dave Davey of Coeur d'Alene Chocolates stood behind a table with samples of some of the year-old company's most popular offerings.

While chocolate appeals to any age demographic, Davey said their products are more sophisticated and in line with the Boomer generation's tastes.

"Plus, it's comfort food," Davey said.