ST. CLAIRSVILLE–The Belmont County Adult Services Coalition presented the 21st annual Older Adult Expo at the Ohio Valley Mall on Tuesday.

The event was free and open to the public and is meant to provide older adults with information about various local services and providers of senior care. Seventy-three local organizations and businesses participated in the event this year. The types of exhibits included home health care, hospitals, housing, banking, placement options, long-term care options, senior information, volunteer services, veteran services, and durable medical equipment.

Belmont County ASC and Steering Committee Chairwoman Ann Koegler helped organize the event. It is one of the organization’s biggest projects of the year, she said.

“This is not only an opportunity for not only older adults to gather necessary information and resources, but is also beneficial for professionals … it’s a collaborative effort,” Koegler said.

Before the expo begins, the event features a continental breakfast for all the participating exhibitors. It gives each organization and business the opportunity to meet and educate and inform each other on what all is available for elderly support and help, Koegler explained.

Koegler said organizers expected 300-400 people to come to the event. They are able to keep track of attendance through how many pieces of cake are eaten, she joked. She said they also are able to tell through sign-ups and giveaways.

The event helps educate both consumers and colleagues, Koegler said.

Participating organizations at the event included; Belmont County Health Department, Belmont County Sheriff’s Department, Interim Health Care, Lifeline of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ohio County Public Library, Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Valley Hospice and many more. All local hospitals were represented at the event, Koegler said — Wheeling Hospital, WVU Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Ohio Valley Medical Center/East Ohio Regional Hospital and Barnesville Hospital.

Every year, Riesbeck’s food markets donates multiple sheet cakes to the event for the attendees to enjoy.