Thousands Expected At Chicago Area Senior Lifestyle Expo

OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL — The 24th Annual Senior Lifestyle Expo is set to take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 20 and 21. Hosted by the Agency on Aging Northwestern Illinois, around 4,000 attendees are expected to join in on entertainment, educational seminars, health and wellness screenings, games, food, attractions, historical presentations and more at the Drury Lane Conference Center in Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, according to a release sent to Patch.

The Senior Lifestyle Expo, also known as the largest gathering of exhibitors in the area, is the "ultimate marketplace showcasing all of the best places, products, services and specialties available specifically to older adults," according to the release.

The Illinois Bicentennial will be celebrated featuring a birthday party, during which attendees can dance and celebrate Emcee Brian Wismer and DJ James, according to the release. The Senior Talent Showcase will also be quite the fun event, for those who are over 60 years old and have a special talent to share.

In conjunction with the Expo, a free Family Caregiver Seminar will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, featuring Erasing the Distance, a theatrical presentation following the lives of three individuals dealing with different mental health issues. This session is followed by a panel discussion by Metropolitan Family Services on caregiver support programs available to those giving care to their loved ones, according to the release.

More event highlights:

• Dr. Samuel Wheel, Illinois State Historian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
• Samuel Lozada, Mo’ Beats Blues
• Paddy Lynn Acting’s Spoon River: Life, Love, Tribulations and Triumphs of 100 Years Ago
• The Health & Wellness Aisle: A highly-interactive area that serves as a hub of activity for our guests seeking valuable health screenings and information.
• Writing Challenge
• The Tech Connect Ballroom: A high-tech playground for electronic and internet-related offerings to be demonstrated, showcased and promoted. With seniors becoming much more technologically savvy, by necessity and choice, they are hungry for products and services that keep them connected to loved ones, caregivers, healthcare professionals and emergency services.

Expo tickets are $3 at the door and are good for both days, according to the release. A $1 discount coupon and online survey for a free ticket are available online.

The release said the expo is hosted by the Agency on Aging Northeastern Illinois, a non-profit organization that works closely with the Administration on Community Living, Illinois Department on Aging and many other agencies to address both the immediate and long-range needs of older adults. The Agency on Aging Northeastern Illinois serves over 654,000 older adults living in DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

More: (Agency on Aging services)

For more information, visit seniorlifestyleexpo.org, call 630-293-5990, or visit the expo's Facebook page.