Expo celebrates 'Day for Older persons'

Video games proved a hit among those celebrating ``International Day for Older Persons'' at the South Dunedin Community Hall yesterday.

About 150 people attended the annual Age Concern Otago Stepping into the Future expo to celebrate the 2017 International Day for Older Persons, which was on Sunday.

Age Concern health promotions Kristen Beardsmore said the day was about giving older people information to use now or in the future - from health and financial planning to activities, groups and even computer games.

``They can come and have a go on Nintendo Wii,'' she said.

Janice Stevenson (66), a volunteer and member of Age Concern Otago, was busy in the kitchen making cups of tea and serving scones, but there was still time to have a go at the Nintendo Wii Sport ten-pin bowling game. She said she ``picked it up today just like that''.

``It's quite cool.''

She was also tested for diabetes and had her blood pressure taken.

She was enthusiastic about the expo's benefits.

Age Concern Otago intern Brett Collins said it was his first Age Concern project since graduating in computer science from the University of Otago two years ago.

He was passionate about technology, and spent yesterday offering technical support to people at the expo - including how to download applications and use their phones.

``It's been quite busy.''

 - Julie Howard