Expo Reflects the Better Life After Age 50

Not too many years ago, young folks frustrated by a stubborn oldster were likely to shrug their shoulders and say that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This comfortable maxim purported to explain resistance to new ideas.

Well, the typical senior has changed since then. Gray and 70 is young, negative stereotypes are fading and the over-50 crowd accounts for nearly half of Southern California’s population.

Living proof that seniors are younger than ever and eager to improve their older adult years is the theme of the fifth annual “Time of Your Life Expo” today, Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St.

The exposition is an educational and entertaining show designed to introduce the latest in life-style opportunities to the “50-plus” crowd. More than 45,000 visitors are expected.

People and Services

The goal of Expo, said Karen Press, show director and president of Opportunities and Services for Seniors, a nonprofit information and referral service, is to “bring people together with the companies and individuals who are providing services and products.”

“The 50-plus generation really wants to know what its options are,” she said. “But many of the better-known services--Section 8 housing, for example--are directed toward low-income seniors. What happens to people who don’t fall into that category?”

The answer, Press explained, has come from “private companies who are filling the gap. They’re providing not just social services, but products and facilities like medical insurance, mobility products and travel for seniors--things you’ll never hear about at your local senior service center.”

Reflecting this diversity and challenging the constitution of a marathon runner (the Convention Center covers 147,000 square feet), the exposition’s 450 booths, special event areas and the main stage will be alive with a cornucopia of offerings.

These include exhibits, hands-on activities, services, products, special events, seminars and workshops. Free samples, gifts, pamphlets and discounted products will be available from many exhibitors.

Exhibit categories include travel, health, nutrition, adult education, housing, financial planning, home security, hobbies and crafts, beauty and fashion and legal issues.

Throughout the day, entertainment, including singers, dancers and musicians, will be presented on the main stage.

At 2 p.m. today, for instance, the Sound Syndicate presents a variety show with a pianist, vocalists, comedy and dancers. At 4 p.m., the Downey Dixie drivers play Dixieland.

Happy Hoofers

On Sunday, the Happy Hoofers begin tapping at 2:30 p.m., and at 4 p.m. the Golden Age Songsters sing barbershop melodies.

At intervals, Hall of Fame awards will be presented honoring celebrity seniors such as Jack Smith, a Times columnist. Smith will be honored today; Estelle Getty and Danny Thomas on Sunday, and George Gobel and Anne Seymour on Monday.

A special favorite last year was the Computer Technology Area, which Press said disproves “the stereotype that older people aren’t learning new things.”

Personal computers will be set up where attendees can learn to use word-processing and home-banking programs, see how desk-top publishing works and try out small business applications.

At least 25 booths will provide health education and give on-the-spot checkups. “By the time seniors leave the show,” Press said, “they can practically get a complete free medical checkup, from the feet up.”

Doctors, nurses and technicians will check for foot, hearing and vision problems; check for cataracts and glaucoma; conduct breast examinations (a closed examination booth will be set up); check blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and evaluate the risk of stroke by doing a carotid artery test.

A glucose tolerance test (which checks blood sugar levels) is also available, but Press reminds visitors that for correct results, visitors must fast for 12 hours in advance.

Seminar Topics

Seminar topics, offered throughout the day, include the benefits of estate planning, selecting plastic surgery, travel planning, orthodontia for seniors, starting a home-based business and beating the blues while aging gracefully.

One of the most important seminars, Press believes, discusses pre-retirement financial planning. “If you wait too long to plan how to afford your retirement,” she warned, “it may be too late.”

If you can’t attend the exposition because you’ve made an appointment for a hair cut, reconsider. The Hair Care Institute’s booth has six professional stylists who will give free haircuts all day.

Workshops on hair care will describe the best “50-plus look” and show you how to choose a style that maximizes your appearance.

A single, demonstration bowling lane has been installed by Active West, which will give lessons and passes to their bowling alleys around the Southland.

Mel Baldwin and Linda Lee, the KNX Food News Hour twosome, will give cooking demonstrations today and Sunday afternoon, and on Monday they will broadcast their 10 a.m. radio program from the floor of the Convention Center.

As visitors enter, they will get a book listing senior services and a map of the exhibits to help them plan their day. Tickets are $4 per person.

Fast food refreshments available. Information: (213) 931-5269.