Something for everyone at expo

Are you 50 or older and want more information regarding your health?

Or are you someone who takes care of a senior citizen or are any age and want to learn more?

If so and you are available from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, you are welcome to attend the third annual Ageless Expo at the Brainerd Civic Center at no charge.

The Ageless Expo is sponsored by Echo Publishing, Brainerd Community Action, Lakes Area Senior Activity Center and The Brainerd Daily Dispatch.

Residents attending the expo will have access to information relating to the community, to businesses, non-profits and health care. They also can get a free screening, walk through the exhibitor booths and fill out an entry form for a chance to win door prizes.

Topics to be presented throughout the day:

10 a.m. -- Karen DuBord of St. Joseph's Medical Center will discuss health care directives.

10:30 a.m. -- Ray Charpentier of Law Offices of Charpentier and Lange will discuss planning issues for seniors.

11 a.m. -- Dr. Mary Zeise of Crosby Eye Clinic will discuss the newest treatments for the aging eye.

11:30 a.m. -- Dr. Daniel Ryan of Brainerd Medical Center will discuss foot care.

12 p.m. -- Entertainment to include Golden Kix, North Countrymen Barbershop and Ray's Promenaders.

1:30 p.m. -- Dr. Paul Thompson of Northern Orthopedics to discuss arthritis of the knee and hip.

2 p.m. -- Dr. David Sabir of Northern Eye Care to discuss new technology in eye care.

2:30 p.m. -- Teresa Farrell of BMC to present a diabetes update.

3 p.m. -- Jennifer Wacker of Walgreen's to discuss vial for life.

3:30 p.m. -- Dr. Ronald Tarrel, a neurologist at the Noran Neurological Clinic and co-director of the Stroke Service program at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, will discuss stroke awareness and prevention. Tarrel will discuss the major topics of the stroke world, educate the public and dispel long-held myths regarding treatment and secondary prevention. He also will introduce the current research and the future of stroke care.

DeAnn Barry, The Dispatch marketing director and coordinator of the expo, said The Dispatch discussed ways on how to effectively get information to senior citizens that they would be interested in.

"We wanted to do something more for them," said Barry. "It is another way for us to be supportive to the community."

Barry said the Ageless Expo Advisory Committee selects topics each year that would benefit senior citizens, as well as others. Members on the committee are Judy Kidder of the Southeast Brainerd Residents Association; Mike Koecheler and Ruth Gogolin, both with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program; Sara Dunlap, St. Joseph's Medical Center Volunteer Services; Mona Aho, Lakes Area Senior Activity Center; Nancy Cross of Brainerd Community Action; and Kelly Watercott of the Volunteer Network.

Exhibitors expected are Northern Orthopedic, Lakewood Health Systems, Paulson Travel, North Central Medical Supply, Northern Eye Center, Senior Linkage Line, Abbott Northwestern, Hospital, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Brainerd Medical Supply, Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Life Long Learning Network and Deerwood Bank.

Crosby Eye Clinic, Cuyuna Range Medical Center, Crow Wing County Health Department/Komen Breast Cancer, St. Joseph's Medical Center, Excelsior Place Catered Living, Good Samaritan Communities of Brainerd, Cellular One, Heartland Chiropractor, Lakes Area Caskets, Mission Creek Memorials, Cuyuna Family Chiropractic, Brenny Funeral Home, Good Neighbor Home Health Care and Breath of Life Adult Day Service, City of Brainerd/Crow Wing County Transit, MN Home Care.

Exhibitors who signed up after Sept. 15 are not included in the listing of exhibitors.