6th annual West Valley Senior Walk brought out crowds, services and resources

The 6th Annual West Valley Senior Walk at Westfield Valley Fair Mall brought out about 500 Silicon Valley seniors who walked through Westfield Valley Fair Mall on April 15, 2011 with San Jose Councilmembers Pete Constant and Pierluigi Oliverio , Attendees also registered for free prizes and talked to several dozen organizations on hand to educate seniors about the resources available. (See initial story: Join San Jose councilmembers for Senior Walk).

Check out the slide show to see pictures of the crowd and some of the organizations that took part

Touted as an event for people over 50, it was primarily the Medicare and older crowd. Some people in wheelchairs, several couples as well as a lot of groups of friends. In what was probably a reasonable business decision but decidedly out of place at a city-sponsored event for people age 50 and up, one company had a representative promoting "free diabetes testing and free blood pressure check" as attendees exited the event.  At the "big bus" where testing took place, however, was a large sign "Testing exclusively for Medicare eligibles." (see final picture in slide show).  Otherwise, however, the exhibitors were cheerful and upbeat no matter what age you were. 

The fitness-oriented information at the event included: The Health Trust's  resource list of fitness after 50 information, a local magazine called Active over 50 was there, and a nonprofit website called Bay Area Older Adults was promoting its free website.

Valley Fair Mall provided free snacks/breakfast (oranges, bananas, coffee, water, and an array of way-too-sugary granola bars and packaged sweet rolls) for the event.   

It was somewhat telling that none of the shopping center's customers bothered to promote workout gear, fitness gadgets like pedometers, good walking shoes, or skin care for older adults.Still, it was a nice event, well run and successful in giving people ideas and access to the benefits of mall walking.