SAN MARCOS: City, university team up for healthy living fair

Free event will focus on senior-related issues

By ANDREA MOSS - Staff Writer | Tuesday, September 2, 2008 8:14 PM PDT ∞

SAN MARCOS ---- As supervisor of the San Marcos Senior Center, Georganne Woodward knows the challenges seniors and those caring for them face. She said that's why she hopes to see as many area residents as possible attend a healthy living fair at the center this weekend.

There is no charge to attend the event, set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Those who show up at the center, at 111 Richmar Ave., will learn how to live longer, healthier lives, Woodward said.

That knowledge is more important than ever because average life spans are getting longer with every generation, she said.

"People in their 40s and 50s now are expected to live to 112," Woodward said Tuesday. "And I think all generations are looking forward now to living longer and ... just realizing they need to take care of themselves better."

The city and Cal State San Marcos have each held their own healthy living fairs in years past. The two decided to combine their efforts this year, said the city's recreation supervisor, Cathy Cronin.

Fair participation is not limited to San Marcos residents. Participants will have nearly two dozen workshops and lectures to choose from.

Topics to be covered in the sessions include fall prevention, retirement living, stroke recovery, hospice care, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, Medi-Cal case management, long-term care insurance, and veterans' benefits.

Information about managing caregiver stress, dealing with a loved one's memory loss, and getting periodic breaks from caregiving duties also will be covered.

Fairgoers can visit more than 60 booths offering information about senior- and health-related issues. Live entertainment, a craft fair, a classic car show and demonstrations of classes available at the senior center are some of the other activities planned.

Woodward, who helped plan the event, said she "just kind of combined everything" to showcase what the center has to offer.

"It's kind of like we're reaching out to the whole community for a fun day, a learning experience plus fun," she said. "People have a vision about the senior center being like a convalescent hospital or something. But this is an active center ---- we have a lot of active classes and such. So we want people to see the senior center."

Call (760) 744-5535 for information.

Contact staff writer Andrea Moss at (760) 739-6654 or amoss@nctimes.com.

Free Health Living Community Fair

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: San Marcos Senior Center, 111 Richmar Ave., San Marcos

Info: (760) 744-5535 or www.csusm.edu/becauseicare

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