NSYMCA Seniorpalooza Health Fair has record breaking attendance

Northbrook, IL: September 2023 – The North Suburban YMCA hosted its 6th annual Seniorpalooza, a health and fun fair for older adults, on Wednesday, September 13. The event is always free and open to the community and brings in a wide variety of local organizations and businesses offering wellness presentations, health screenings, giveaways, raffles prizes, flu clinic and demonstration classes. The event featured 48 vendors/sponsors and brought in over 350 guests this year.

“Now in our 6th year, this has been the highest attended Seniorpalooza to date with the most vendors exhibiting,” exclaims Kim Nyren, Director of Community Investments and Events for the NSYMCA. “As part of our mission for inclusion and education, we run this free event because they are so important to our senior community, which makes up about 22% of our membership at the Y.”

The event also offered a YMCA Education Series “Lunch and Learn” presented by Illinois Bone & Joint Institute. Dr. Donna Ishak, PT, DPT spoke on “Balance and Fall Prevention.” The presentation was sold out and was a part of the YMCA Education Series (Y.E.S.) which is a series of free live presentations by local professionals covering topics related to physical, mental, and social health and wellbeing. The presentations are also recorded as podcasts and made available on the NSYMCA YouTube Platform.

“This event was truly amazing I have never been to a senior health fair that offered so many vendors,” said Valeria Graves. “I am so impressed by the number of services the Y offers adult seniors and walked away from this event learning so much more about balance prevention and ways to stay healthy.”

One of the vendors, GoGreen Northbrook distributed reusable grocery bags provided by the Village of Northbrook. This initiative aims to reduce waste and phase out single-use plastics. Starting January 1, 2024, customers will be charged 10 cents for each single-use paper or plastic bag at retail stores in Northbrook. There are still bags available and will be distributed at the NSYMCA while supplies last.

Premier event sponsors for the event include Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, Allstate, Daily Herald, Waterway Carwash, And Wintrust Community Banks.

Participating sponsors and vendors include Aetna, Arosa Chicagoland, Aldan Northmoor, Bella Terra Wheeling, CapTel Outreach, CJE SeniorLife, Edwards Lifesciences, Eldersmart, Legacy Travel, The Lodge of Northbrook, The Manual Touch PT, Margolis Law, Matlin Law Group, Northshore Health Systems, North Shore Place, Peck Ritchey, Pioneer Concierge Medicine, Right at Home, Ruby Therapeutic Massage, Seattle Sutton, Senior Helpers, TASH Wellness for Women, United Healthcare, Warren Barr North Shore and Whitehall of Deerfield and many more.

At the NSYMCA, has made the well-being of older adults a top priority by providing programs for the spirit, mind & body. The NSYMCA offers two free balance classes each week to members along with other classes to help you build strength, flexibility, proprioception, and even cardiovascular fitness. The other offerings include Chronic Disease Prevention classes, dance, art and aquatic classes, as well as volunteer and social programs to build community.

For more information about events at the NSYMCA or to participate as a vendor or sponsor in a NSYMCA event, contact Kim Nyren at knyren@nsymca.org.

About the North Suburban YMCA:

The North Suburban YMCA services Northbrook and 14 surrounding communities with programs and tools that help its residents become healthier, more connected, and confident, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. The NSYMCA focuses on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility and is a charitable organization, inclusive and welcoming to all in our community. Learn more at www.nsymca.org.