By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

When Penny Kalscheur set up an information table at Independent Newsmedia’s Chandler Senior Expo on Feb. 24, she wasn’t sure exactly what types of questions visitors would ask about her organization’s main topics.

Kalscheur was one of more than 40 vendors who spent the morning of Feb. 24 educating those who came to the Sun Lakes Country Club’s main building about products and services.

It was Kalscheur’s first time setting up a MD First Research Arizona’s table at an INI Senior Expo. She said with a focus on dementia studies, she ended up receiving about as many questions about loved ones as she received questions from visitors asking about themselves.

“I was expecting to hear from a few more caregivers, but I’m glad there was so much interest in dementia,” Kalscheur said.

Kalscheur said the primary health concern expressed by seniors at her table seemed to be vision and eye care, though there were many dementia questions as well.

More than 40 vendors offered up solutions to all sorts of senior-living challenges. For the past several years, INI has been holding Senior Expo events for vendors about once per month, in the winter in the East Valley and then primarily in the West Valley the rest of the year.

Seniors and their families learned about everything from Medicare to specific health topics to wills and trusts, and how to get new help or products related to each one.

Some organizations had games, candy or giveaways at their tables.

Pickle balls were one of the giveaways. One attendee, in a drawing, won a large gift basket.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.   Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.