Seventy-six million American children were born between 1945 and 1964. This generation is known as the “Baby Boomers”. Henderson County’s 65 years and older age group has increased by 11.17% over the last 10 years. 

Henderson County Extension FCS agent has partnered with Redbank’s senior apartments programming coordinator and director for the last ten years to promote a program called the “Senior Expo”. This event was created to bring information to our seniors. In the past the event offered informational booths from local businesses, government agencies, non-profits and clubs that provided information about their services. Breakout sessions and provided free flu and phenomena shots. At the end of the program a special guest appeared for entertainment. 

With a pandemic on the rise, we had to think differently this past year and offer information in the form of taking the Expo out into the community. There weren’t very many vendors who wanted to participate in the in-person event, but over 25 different organizations were glad to provide materials to give out. Targeting senior living and pick up locations over 225 bags were assembled and delivered to locations such as Redbank’s Towers, Regency Apartments, etc. These bags were well received in the community and still enabled us to get information out.   Many have said that this allowed them to receive the information without feeling like they were putting themselves in danger of getting sick, enjoyed reading all that Henderson has to offer seniors and liked the goodies that the agencies provided.