MUSC's Senior Expo draws crowd to learn about healthy aging

In a state where about one in five residents is 65 or older, it may come as no surprise that the Medical University of South Carolina’s Senior Expo 2025 drew a big crowd to the Charleston Area Convention Center. MUSC hosted the event with help from the Trident Area on Aging, the Lowcountry Senior Network and the Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Hermes Florez, M.D., Ph.D., leads MUSC’s Center for Healthy Aging, which organized the expo.“The theme was preparing today for a healthier, more independent tomorrow,” he said.

 

That preparation involved 160 booths in the convention center, along with demonstrations, health screenings and free health-related items. MUSC doctors, researchers and other specialists were on hand to help people assess their risk for falling, check attendees’ bone density and test their hearing. But the expo did more than that. It also offered information on everything from moving to financial planning, which can also be important factors in how well people age.

Prevention was a key focus, too. “We are targeting some of the most common chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, problems with your cholesterol, even risk of cardiovascular events, such a heart attack or stroke,” Florez said.

“We also want to help people reduce their risk of and cope with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and mild cognitive impairment. It’s all in the mix of what the Center for Healthy Aging tries to do, and the senior expo provided a great opportunity.”

 

It was also a great opportunity to remind the public that healthy aging starts at birth. “How to preserve good health, how to preserve functionality is something that we can start from the very beginning by promoting good behaviors. We're facing an epidemic of obesity in children, and adolescents are increasing our rates of diabetes. There are opportunities to intervene early on,” Florez said.

It's a message that appeared to resonate with the mayors of Charleston and North Charleston, who spoke at the expo, with Charleston Mayor William Cogswell proclaiming it an official day of healthy aging. Florez was pleased they brought their support to a gathering that could benefit people throughout the area. “Events like this help us focus on promoting a community that is healthier and empowered.”