In putting together “Road Ahead” events, organizer Mary Coupland wanted to steer a bit clear of the idea of a “senior” fair, but rather an event that anyone in the community seeking more about managing their health, wealth and general well being could take part.
“We’re not talking about a dead end, we’re talking about enjoying life,” she says.
Coupland, the publisher/editor-in-chief of the “Compass & Clock” — and owner/operator of organization of the same name — is bringing back the third-annual “Road Ahead” to Sequim, set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Sequim Community Church, 950 N. Fifth Ave.
This free event looks to bring resources, experts and advocates to one place where people can get more information about financial, healthcare, physical fitness and more. The “Road Ahead” includes healthcare screenings include blood pressure checks from Assured Hospice, spinal screenings from Lodge Chiropractic, pulse diagnostics from functional movement assessments from Jefferson HealthCare and medication review clinic from Costco, as well as balance exercise demonstrations, cooking demonstrations on how to cook nutritiously for one or two people (with samples), travel tips and more.
Coupland says that the balance exercise articles in her “Compass & Clock” publication — a free publication designed to help aging citizens with issues from finance and health care to housing, legal guidance, leisure and family support found across Clallam and Kitsap counties — are the most-read pieces.
“As long as people stay vertical they’ll (be) healthier,” she says.
The “Road Ahead” also features door prizes such as massages, carpet cleaning, bike rentals and more, as well as complimentary light snacks & beverages courtesy of Costco.
The event includes a demonstration and information about electric bikes from Garth Schmeck of Pedego Sequim.
The “Road Ahead” schedule includes:
10:15 a.m. — Balance exercises for at home
10:55 a.m. — Financial, legal experts warn of “Avoiding Potholes”
11:55 a.m. — Electric bike with Pedego Sequim
12:35 p.m. — “Changing Lanes,” housing and healthcare experts offer advice
1:30 p.m. — Creating, fun, affordable travel experiences
Life help
Coupland says she and her own family members had a tough time negotiating some of life’s winding roads as her parents aged.
“We didn’t know anything as a family; we made some really bad choices,” she says.
In recent years she’s helped bring senior-themed events to the area, but found she wanted to expand the events to bring in others who perhaps aren’t retired but looking for some help before they have to make hard decisions.
That help, Coupland says, can be anything from de-cluttering a home years before having to move, being award of signs of identity theft, getting information about possible financial and legal potholes, and more.
Attendees can sign up for a monthly Compass and Clock email
“We’re not trying to sell anybody anything,” Coupland says.
A Sequim event Coupland organized in 2017 outdrew a similar event held in Port Angeles one year later, so Coupland is bring it back to east Clallam County.
“I think people in Sequim have really embraced the program,” she says.
For more information, see www.compassandclock.com/compass-clock-sponsored-events, or contact Coupland at compassandclockmc@gmail.com or 206-321-8016.
