SANFORD —  What’s the “secret” to  living well when you’re older and alone?

“I find it works if you make it, work,” said Isabelle Coleman of Sanford.

Coleman, 87, was among the seniors who turned out for the Healthy Living  Expo, put on at Trafton Senior Center by the Thriving in Place program of York County Community Action Corporation on Monday. 

Robin Hewitt Bibber, coordinator of the Thriving in Place program said seniors were having a good time and learning how they can keep healthy at home, as well.

“Its going really, really well,” she  said.

Seniors could get their medications checked by pharmacy students from the University of New England, get their blood sugar and their blood pressure checked, learn about closed caption telephones that can help if you’re hard of hearing, or benefits they might not know about if they’re a veteran. They could dispose of their old, outdated medications with a representative of York County Sheriff’s Office, or just socialize  — an important part of healthy living.

They could take part in a gentle, seated yoga program, check out some healthy recipes and more.

Coleman, who raised eight children of her own and was host to a number of Fresh Air kids over the years, said seniors have to “do their own thing.”

She said she does her own housework, though it takes her a while, and she gets out — a lot, taking advantage of transportation to get hr where she needs and wants to go. She spends one day a week at a library, and the avid reader brings home lots of books.  She said she even reads to the end the books she finds unappealing after a few pages — and always learns something.

“The full story is, you’ve got to carry on yourself,” she said of being alone. And, she said, 87 just doesn’t feel old, these days. 

Among the vendors was Cindy Shoppe of Lebanon, who provides respite care  for families, shopping and other tasks. She said she’d handed out a lot of business cards on Monday and pointed out she can provide services in increments as little as an hour a day, if need be.

For more information  about the Thriving in Place program, contact YCCAC at 459-2989. 

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].