No Place Like Home expo connects seniors with aging-in-place solutions
The first annual No Place Like Home seniors expo took over the CLE Heritage Building on Wednesday afternoon.
The new fair is designed to help seniors find the services and supports needed to age comfortably at home, rather than relocating to long-term care.
“I can’t believe how many people are here. This is great — it’s all about us and what we need,” said attendee Lavina Collins. “When you live at home, you have more control over what happens to you. I’m very happy where I am. I’m not ready for assisted living yet, but I do need some help in some ways.”
Services on display include accessibility equipment for bedrooms and bathrooms, home energy-efficiency solutions, first aid resources and HVAC services.
“Seniors don’t want to go into health care facilities or retirement homes, whether public or private,” said organizer and Age Friendly Thunder Bay Chair Donna Nagy. “They want to stay home. These businesses are here to help them stay where they want to be.”
Scene’s from Wednesday afternoon’s fair (Jacob Henriksen-Willis / September 23 2026)
Vendors were also on hand to provide information about tax credits, deductions and financial assistance programs available for home accessibility upgrades.
Thunder Bay Climate Action Specialist Danielle Slongo highlighted the environmental importance of energy-efficient, safe homes, and pointed to government incentives that help homeowners fund upgrades.
“My work revolves around lowering our greenhouse gas emissions,” Slongo said. “When houses are leaky energy sieves, they’re also really uncomfortable for people to live in. We’re here today to connect seniors with different resources to help them find and pay for these important home upgrades.”
Maggie McMeans, a market outreach specialist with Clear Results, says eligible seniors who meet specific income thresholds or receive government benefits may qualify for free home upgrades through various support programs.
Eligible programs include:
- Ontario Works
- Ontario Disability Support Program
- Allowance for Seniors
- Guaranteed Income Supplement
“Increasing energy efficiency is a great way to protect the environment. Through the Energy Affordability Program and home winter proofing program, we provide free upgrades for things like insulation, draft proofing and outdated appliances. At the end of the day, it’ll help seniors reduce their energy bills and energy use at home,” McMeans said.
The event was hosted by Age Friendly Thunder Bay, a community-based stakeholder non profit group advocating for seniors’ independence and quality of life in Thunder Bay.
Organizers say they are hoping to make the No Place Like Home expo an annual event.
