Seniors embrace wellness at Milwaukee community fair



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Dozens of people made their way to Washington Park Senior Center with the goal of making their wellness a priority.

"By me coming here and picking up brochures and reading on my own I have learned a lot and besides that what I've learned I show that to other people so they can get involved as well," says Bobby Thompson as she attended the fair.

The Embrace Your Wellness Community Fair is a series of events that educates seniors on how to improve their quality of life.

"We've got about 25 different community resources have come in and are identifying what dimension of wellness they connect with in the community," says Interfaith Older Adult Programs Assistant Director Amy Kloster.

Some of those dimensions include emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.

Focus on energy was emphasizing the financial and environmental dimensions.

"We supplement the cost of energy-efficient lighting at the retail level, we educate residents on how they can become more energy-efficient in their home, and we also give cash back rewards on appliance recycling," says Focus on Energy representative Nancy Alberte.

Senior center member Wayne McCrory knows the importance of the social dimension, that's why he started a Wii bowling league at Washington Park.

"Coming here it brightens my world. It gives me something to do," says McCrory.

The physical dimension was highlighted by educating seniors on the cold and flu, blood pressure tests, and giving out the flu shot.

"I've never had an adverse reaction, and I've never gotten the flu, and it doesn't hurt," says Ellie Mixter-Keller after she got a flu shot.

A few simple ways to keep the mind, body, and soul healthy.

In case you missed today's wellness fair, three more will be held in the coming days.