2nd LaSalle Seniors’ Fair: mobilization for their health and well-being

The 2nd edition of the LaSalle Seniors’ Fair was held on September 26, 2024, under the theme “Health and Well-being”. The LaSalle Seniors Consultation Table, in collaboration with the LaSalle Social Development Table, organized this show with the objective of promoting the well-being of seniors and maintaining their quality of life.

For the realization of this event, the first edition of which attracted many visitors in September 2023, the Résidence Le Cavalier of the Maurice group in LaSalle opened its doors to visitors.

20 information kiosks

Based on the theme put forward and through their representatives, 20 information kiosks bringing together community groups answered various questions from the public on the services offered in the community.

Four conference meetings, where laughter was present, provided entertainment for listeners. “When was the last time you laughed,” asked laughter yoga specialist Linda Leclerc. Marc Demers, former mayor of Laval, explained how to “reinvent cities for seniors. es”, and nutritionist Karine Gravel gave clues to understand the reasons for the exceptional longevity of centenarians from Okinawa in Japan. Finally, the artist Denis Bouchard showed that at 70 years old, he has all his teeth, except one. This conference ended on a note of humor while emphasizing the importance of staying informed and learning at all ages.

Information, a vital resource

News from here hosted a kiosk, since information was at the center of the Show. Visiting the Salon, the mayor of LaSalle, Nancy Blanchet, thanked the organizers as well as the community organizations who ensure the dissemination of information, “the first form of commitment,” she emphasized.

At 96 years old, Françoise Bradette Nimbley, resident at Le Cavalier, also expressed this need to be informed. At the show, she went to the information and visited all the tables. “I still do volunteer work with people, providing support, sometimes translating, right here in my living environment. People who need to be loved attract me,” she confides.

Export room

Hughes Ménard, director of Résidence Le Cavalier as well as member of the LaSalle Seniors Consultation Table, and Patrick Beaudoin of the LaSalle Social Development Table said they were satisfied with the response from participants at the kiosks. Both the choice of kiosks and that of speakers, they emphasized, was based on the importance of offering relevant information to seniors by mobilizing community circles and seeking help from teams of volunteers from the community. .

The experience of the LaSallois salon is being emulated. Visiting the Salon, a citizen of Pierrefonds, Catherine Jacques, wanted to be inspired by the approach of the organizers and contacted Mr. Beaudoin, of the TDSL, in order to obtain references to organize a Seniors’ Fair in his community.

An upcoming Salon for 50+ year olds in Lachine and Dorval, free and open to everyone, will take place on November 7 at the Maison du Brasseur, in Lachine. Workshop-conferences, information on local resources as well as works by local senior artists can be seen. The team of News from here will once again be present at this show with an information booth.

The photos in this article were taken by Lise Schetagne on September 26, 2024.