Senior Awareness Day
| In 1994, the Adult Services Team created an outreach program for seniors and disabled adults called Senior Awareness Day as
an effort to inform, motivate, encourage and connect Wilson County seniors and disabled adults with services that were available
to them, but unknown by most of them. The program was so successful that they inquired as to when another program was going to be held.
Senior Awareness Day is now an annual event in Wilson County that has grown from 125 participants in 1994 to more than 950 participants in 2006.
Also this past year, 64 vendors participated. The program is designed to inform Wilson County seniors and disabled adults about federal, state and local programs that can assist them to live independently or in the least restrictive environment. The goal is to educate and encourage seniors and disabled adults to apply for services that can enhance their quality of life and connect them with services available within the agency and the community. The impact of Senior Awareness Day goes far beyond the fun and fellowship the seniors and disabled adults share with each other that day. They are better informed consumers and are availing themselves of services and programs in greater numbers than ever before in our county’s history. The seniors and disabled adults are also honored for the many contributions they make to their families, their community and their country. Vendor tables are set up so local agencies and businesses can share information about their services for seniors. Entertainment is provided to make the event fun. Senior Awareness Day creates the environment for better informed seniors and better utilization of services. Each year after the event, there is a measurable increase in requests for other outreach efforts including forums and community dialogues. Community partners and DSS staff report a surge in requests for assistance each year after the event. A light-hearted educational skit about adult services programs at the 2006 event resulted in even more of an increase in inquires about all the available programs and services for this population. Senior Awareness Day has proven to be a life-changing event in the lives of many seniors by connecting them with the services they need to remain independent and to enhance their quality of life. If you are interested in attending, registration information is available each year at the Department of Social Services and it is free to attend. Pre-Registration is required. Volunteers, interested vendors and sponsors are welcomed. |