Hundreds of senior citizens from throughout the county flocked to the Urhai Bingo Hall at 2016 N. Central Avenue Monday for the 3rd annual Bristol Bingo Bonanza.
The event, which coincided with National Senior Day, was sponsored by Bristol Hospice Modesto and Stockton.
According to Lawana Ofisa, the area director of Bristol Hospice Modesto and Stockton, the event was designed to be fun for seniors but mainly intended to make them aware of services offered by a myriad of agencies healthcare vendors.
Bingo games with prizes and a complimentary lunch were also a draw.
Approximately 50 hospice agencies operate in Stanislaus County and Bristol is just one of them.
Ofisa said many of the attendees were brought in from senior and assisted living facilities.
Bristol was one of the first organizations to put on a community event to bring resources to seniors rather than calling different agencies and groups.
Examples of vendors which came to the event included Central Valley Pace, All Ways Caring Home Care, Addus Home Care, American Legion Wellcare, Catholic Charities, Vintage Faire Nursing & Rehab, Kaiser, Almond Vista Healthcare, Allstar Ambulance, El Rio Memory Care, Hicap and Tomorrow’s Home.
“We’ve seen firsthand how many seniors and their families are not aware of the resources available to them in our community,” she said . “This event is our way of changing that — in a fun, welcoming, and uplifting environment.”
The mission is connecting seniors with resources they may not even realize are available — including hospice and palliative care, senior housing, home health services, wellness programs and more.
The Stanislaus Senior Foundation, which has a mission to enhance seniors’ lives, safety and well being, presented information to seniors. The agency offers emergency assistance, fall prevention programs, elder abuse awareness, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support, exercise programs and music therapy.
Bristol has a nonprofit foundation that provides help for the uninsured, those who are dependent on oxygen and can’t pay their utilities and those who cannot cover burial costs.
