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Meeting Needs: T.R.A.C.E. continues the work of supporting the elderly in the tri-county area
When it comes to getting older, there are a lot of considerations. Mental health, physical well-being, financial stability and companionship are just some of the things that an aging person and their family members might need to think about.
Luckily, the Tri-County Abuse Council for Elders, or T.R.A.C.E., are committed to engaging with seniors and their caregivers in all of the above-mentioned areas. A collection of professionals from varied backgrounds, the organization was formed in order to offer those in need the care and support that they need when it matters the most.
“For a lot of our older adults, as they age, their peer groups tend to shrink a little,” explained T.R.A.C.E. President Shawn Bingham. “Sometimes there are issues related to not having a good support group, so the idea is to come together, and make those connections.”
T.R.A.C.E. accomplishes this in a number of different ways, generally promoting elder abuse awareness, and providing elderly individuals in our local communities with important supplies and resources on a regular basis. One of the main ways that they connect with those who can use their services is through their Annual Senior Health and Wellness Fair, which will be presented for the seventh time on Friday, September 22 at the Corbin Center.
“What we are trying to do [with the event] is promote more education and socialization for older adults in Knox, Whitley and Laurel counties,” Bingham explained. “We focus on things like networking, general wellness, life skills, and elder abuse awareness, education and prevention.”
“For us, it’s about making sure that older adults in the tri-county area know how to stay in touch with local resources, and that they know how to properly react in situations involving elder abuse,” Bingham added. “We want to make sure that they know all of the prevention techniques.”
When it comes to caring for the elderly, T.R.A.C.E. goes to great lengths to make sure they have all of their bases covered.
“The Council is a diverse group of providers located in the tri-county area,” Bingham said, noting that representatives from a wide range of industries are involved, including health services, financial services, protective services and social services, just to name a few.
“Everyone is committed to the cause,” Bingham said. “We enjoy working with older adults. We are very passionate about it, and our Health and Wellness Fair is our key event each year. It is a great educational opportunity, and a great opportunity to socialize as well.”
T.R.A.C.E.’s 7th Annual Senior Health and Wellness Fair will be held from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 22. The event is free, and open to any tri-county resident 55-years-old or older. It will include free health screenings, snacks, and opportunities to win door prizes. Special guest speakers will be presenting attendees with important information during the morning and afternoon, and several vendors will be set up to provide folks with useful resources related to senior living and/or elderly care.
“As a group, we keep improving this event each year,” Bingham said. “We have grown each year to include more vendors, and more offerings. This is a good group of people, and when we all work together it makes it great. I am lucky to be just a part of that.”
Bingham said that no registration is required to attend the Senior Health and Wellness Fair, and admission will not be charged for entry. Simply come to the Corbin Center, located at 222 Corbin Center Drive, anytime between 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on September 22.
For additional information, Bingham can be reached at 606-545-2896. Cathy Willis can also be contacted at 606-682-1332. To find out more about T.R.A.C.E., look them up on Facebook by searching for “Tri-County Abuse Council for Elders.”
