From left, Senior Safety Specialist Dot Boyd and Certified Senior Safety Advisor Anupama Shojaei sparked the idea for the Fair Oaks Chamber's recent Senior Resource Fair.

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce hosted its inaugural Senior Resource Fair on Sept. 10 at New Life Community Church in Fair Oaks. The free community event, Empowered Aging in Fair Oaks – A Senior Resource Fair, drew about 200 attendees and connected older adults, caregivers and families with local professionals and organizations. 

More than 65 vendors participated, sharing information and educating attendees about their organizations’ programs and services. Exhibitors offered a wide range of information, including care management, emergency services, financial services, home health, hospice, insurance, medical supplies, placement services, senior living communities, government agencies and more.

From left, Senior Safety panelists Kayla Cole, Mike Ryder and Dot Boyd provide important tips and resources about safety at home and what to do in emergencies

“The chamber has been planning this special event for more than a year. We are happy to see it finally come together under one roof,” said Kimberley Pitillo, president and CEO of the Fair Oaks Chamber. “I especially want to thank our amazing sponsors and the planning committee leaders, Dot Boyd and Anupama Shojaei, who organized a meaningful, educational event that supports the older adult community.”

Dot Boyd, a senior safety specialist based in Fair Oaks, has worked in the senior care industry since 2018. Boyd is a passionate advocate for senior safety, dedicated to helping seniors maintain their dignity and independence as they age. 

“We chose the name Empowered Aging because older adults and their families often ‘tough it out’ on their own, not knowing where to turn for help,” said Boyd. “As a senior safety specialist and a former worried daughter caring for an elderly mother, I am committed to bringing supportive resources together for my clients and my community because empowered aging is a team sport.”

Participants listen to speakers who covered a range of educational topics

Anupama Shojaei, a certified senior advisor and owner of CarePatrol, helps families navigate senior care options, including assisted living, memory care, independent living and in-home care.

“It was a tremendously successful first event. Vendors reported they were happy with the turnout and the important conversations they had with attendees. Attendees I spoke with said it was just what they were looking for,” said Shojaei. “By bringing trusted professionals together in one place, we made it easier for people to ask questions, understand their options and build relationships that can make all the difference later.”

Fair Oaks Chamber Board Chair Jen Rodriguez kept the event agenda on track, introduced speakers and led question-and-answer sessions with sponsors and exhibitors. 

Allison Trapp, a marketing consultant at CarePatrol, answers an attendee's questions.

Rodriguez moderated a senior safety panel featuring three experts who shared practical information and resources on staying safe at home, preparing for emergencies and accessing help when needed. Panelists included Dot Boyd; Mike Ryder, EMT and business development manager at AlphaOne Ambulance Medical Services; and paramedic Kayla Cole of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

Other speakers included Diane Klecker of Bridge Fitness, who led an interactive session and demonstrated exercises attendees can incorporate into their daily routines.

Participants learn basic exercises to incorporate into their day during an interactive movement session.

Key event sponsors also took the stage to introduce their organizations and discuss their services and benefits. The sponsors included All Seasons Residential Senior Living, Fair Oaks Financial, Inc., Whole Wellness Therapy, Avalon Hearing Aid Centers, Inc., Buck Wealth Management, Community Health Centers of America, Homewatch CareGivers, Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary, Oakmont of Fair Oaks, SMUD and Sanctuary Home Health and Hospice.

The Fair Oaks Chamber sincerely thanks the event sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, volunteers, community partners and the New Life Community Church for helping make this inaugural event a meaningful celebration of connection, education and support in the Fair Oaks area.

For more information about the Fair Oaks Chamber, visit: fairoakschamber.com.

Michelle Nevins, executive director of Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, speaks to an attendee.