The Daniels College of Business hosted a Seniors Fair Saturday in conjunction with Seniors Inc., a Colorado-based nonprofit organization which has been serving babyboomers and senior citizens for the past 36 years.
The purpose of the fair was to help seniors, babyboomers, and their families cope with the difficulties of aging. Lou Kallas, executive director of Seniors Inc., said the organization has stepped up to provide easily-accessible information and resources in response to these needs.
“Senior citizens and family members who are caring for aging parents often don’t know where to turn to find information on the challenges they face,” said Kallas.
According to Karen L. Newman, dean of the Daniels College of Business, this event was also beneficial to DCB students.
“This partnership goes to the very heart of the Daniels College mission. By melding community commitment with enlightened practice and professional achievement, not only will our students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the non-profit sector, they will also learn the value of business ethics and integrity, and experience the personal and professional rewards of social responsibility and community service,” she said.
The fair gave seniors and their families the ability to meet with businessmen who sell products that will help them have more productive lifestyles, as well as keep them independent longer. Stands were set up in the DCB lounge where the elderly could learn about dozens of products and services.
There was also a series of free seminars given to seniors on the topics of Social Security, Medicare and the prescription drug benefit, reverse mortgages, tax sheltered retirement programs and estate planning.
DCB is nationally recognized as one of the top four schools in the world for producing graduates with high ethical standards. DCB also ranks among the top eight of the nation’s regional business schools. Events such as the Seniors Fair are held in efforts to involve the community in the business school experience.
Colorado is one of the top 10 states in the nation for the 65-and-older age group, and by 2030 it is estimated that people 50 and older will account for one third of Colorado’s population.
As the 76 million babyboomers in the United States who hold three quarters of the nation’s wealth approach retirement, the market for senior citizen services steadily increases.
