More than 85 Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) residents were chauffeured to the city-wide Senior Fest event hosted by Sheriff Joe Baron on Oct. 24. Since 2017, the gathering has been a chance for Norfolk’s senior and disabled population to learn about and experience targeted health services, including eye screenings, blood pressure checks and information about various insurances.
NRHA’s Client Services Department partnered with Agape Travel & Tours to pick up residents from their homes, for the second consecutive year, to ensure they received information from the more than 70 vendors on site. Last, year, the authority transported more than 100 seniors to the event at the Old Dominion University Chartway Arena.
Putting residents in front of senior services is extremely important to their well-being and livelihood, NRHA officials said.
“Some people don’t get out often, so it’s really amazing for them to come out,” said Lisa Akers, a resident services specialist at NRHA. “And then to see vendors and resources within the community that can help meet their needs for whatever their or even their family’s situation is – it’s just a lot for them to take home to reflect on.”
Akers also explained that the experience of traveling from property to property, on the ride to the event, gives residents the chance to socialize with not only members of their own residential community, but also with people from other communities.
“We just keep trying to promote the positive aspects of it and how we can meet the barriers of them being unable to come out,” she said. “That also helps (residents) to come out and be more proactive when an event comes around next. And, being able to have chaperones to assist them has been very helpful with mobility and barriers that they have, so our residents feel more confident.”
Cottage Bridge Tenant Management Council (TMC) President, Veronica Briggs, said attending events like the Senior Fest keeps residents grounded and connected throughout the year. NRHA has four properties that house the senior citizen and disabled populations throughout Norfolk – Partrea Apartments, Cottage Bridge, Franklin Arms and Bobbitt Apartments. Year round, the Authority’s Client Services Department hosts events like chair exercises, free food distributions and visits from local political officials to keep residents engaged.
Similarly, Briggs said many vendors at the event provided information on health and supplemental insurance needs and support services that was useful not just for her, but also for other residents unable to make the trip.
The event also included a plated lunch and remarks by Donna Wilson of Wilson Law, PLC, who spoke on the importance of thorough and detailed estate planning, as well as Baron who warned attendees about red flags associated with scamming that targets the senior population.
“They’ve got a lot of information that I can take back to my building for the seniors over there,” Briggs said. “I’m hoping that they take whatever I tell them and think about really coming for the next event, because they’re missing a whole lot of stuff and a lot of great things. There’s a lot of different vendors that you can learn from in here, so you get educated. I’m glad they have it every year.”
For more information about this story, email dcuenca@nrha.us.
