By Rebecca Chappell

Special to the News-Herald

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia hold an “Art of Healthy Aging Forum & Expo” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9 at the Paul D. Camp Community College Regional Workforce Development Center.

The event, sponsored by The Village at Woods Edge and Keurig Green Mountain Inc., will include speakers, health screenings, entertainment and exhibitors offering resources for seniors, their families and caregivers.

“We had requests to bring the resources that we provide each year at our larger Virginia Beach fall event, ‘The Art of Healthy Aging Forum and Expo,’ within easy reach of seniors living in our Western Tidewater cities and counties,” SSEVA director of development and community relations Debbie Schwartz said.

“We’re excited about the program we have planned on April 9 and hope people will come out. Our speakers will be addressing issues of health, wellness and safety, along with other relevant topics, all to support seniors staying healthy, active, independent and happy.

Schwartz said 20 or more exhibitors will offer information about housing, long-term care options, insurance, nutrition, travel and recreation, alternative health products and more.

Guest speakers will include Ross Boone, Rhys Jones and Keith Rose.

Boone will discuss “Sex after 55: Living Your Life to the Fullest.”

Boone, of Suffolk, has had a career in education spanning public schools, leadership academies, fraternities, colleges and universities throughout Virginia and farther afield. He is a retired dean of academic programs at Paul D. Camp Community College, has served on the board of directors for many of the region’s organizations and has received numerous awards, including being named Suffolk’s First Citizen.

Jones will speak on “Medicare 101: Getting the Answers.”

Jones is vice president for Medicaid advocacy at America’s Health Insurance Plans, a health plan industry association in Washington, D.C. He is an expert and frequent speaker on the Medicare Advantage/Part D programs, dual-eligible special needs plans, Medicare/Medicaid integration and managed care. He has served on the board of directors of Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia and holds a Master of Public Health degree.

Rose will speak on “Safe and Savvy Seniors.”

Deputy Keith Rose been in law enforcement for 18 years, serving with the Franklin Police Department and now as deputy sheriff with the Southampton Sheriff’s Department. He has been in the ministry for 17 years, serving as pastor of Pine Level Baptist Church in Capron for the last 10 years and previously as associate minister at New Hope Baptist Church and First Baptist Church Franklin. During his military career, he traveled across the country for 22 years of, leading young soldiers and families during difficult times in their lives.

Rose is well known for his presentations on security and safety, and he offers information and resources on safety and protection, offering easy tips to follow during daily activities.

Tickets for the event are $5 and include lunch, health screenings, raffle drawings, entertainment and more. They will not be available at the door. To purchase tickets call Damita James at 461-9481 ext. 204 or order online at www.ssseva.org.

For more information, contact Jody Mazur at 963-9220 or email jmazur@sseva.org.