Nearly 500 older adults filled the Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre on Tuesday for Brantford’s annual Seniors Resource Fair, marking International Seniors Daywith a day dedicated to health, connection, and community support.
Hosted by the City of Brantford in partnership with the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO) and with funding from the Government of Ontario, the free event brought together 38 local organizations offering information on programs and services designed to help older residents live well and stay engaged.
“It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout and genuine interest in the programs the City of Brantford offers for our active aging community,” said Terri Palmateer, Fitness Coordinator at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.
“The enthusiasm throughout the event was evident, and it’s clear that the Seniors Resource Fair has the potential to grow next year.”
This year’s fair offered a full slate of presentations and demonstrations focused on safety, wellness, and lifelong learning. Sessions included Aging with Intention, Safe Winter Driving, and Fire Safety at Home, while on-site clinics provided free blood pressure checks and hearing screenings.
Lill Petrella, Team Lead for Mental Health Promotion at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Branch, said her organization was proud to participate:
“The sheer magnitude of attendance speaks volumes to the need in the community for information and events geared to seniors. Looking forward to being a part of this event again next year. Kudos to the organizers for a very successful day.
The event featured local partners such as Brantford Transit, Brantford Fire, Brant Historical Society, Grand River Community Health Centre, Wilfrid Laurier University’s BioAdaptive Interface Lab, Nova Vita, Service Canada, The Alzheimer Society, and Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, among many others.
Each booth provided hands-on information about available programs—from fitness and recreation to legal aid, mental health, and home care support.
The City of Brantford emphasized that promoting senior well-being remains a central goal of its Healthy Aging Strategy, which focuses on health, social inclusion, and reducing isolation among older adults.
“Events like the Seniors Resource Fair not only connect residents to important services,” organizers noted, “but also celebrate the contributions of older adults as active members of our community.”
Residents can learn more about the City’s Healthy Aging Strategy and explore additional age-friendly programs and events at Brantford.ca/HealthyLiving.
