When it comes to keeping seniors healthy, a little prevention
can go a long away, according to organizers of Hollister’s
first-ever
”
Spring Into Health
”
health fair.
When it comes to keeping seniors healthy, a little prevention can go a long away, according to organizers of Hollister’s first-ever “Spring Into Health” health fair.
The “Spring Into Health” health fair will be held Thursday at the Veterans Memorial Building to inform residents what health services are available in the community for seniors and to provide free health screenings.
The fair is being organized by the Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito counties and the San Benito County Long Term Care Commission.
“There are so many studies that show an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – that old adage is extremely true,” said Clay Kempf, executive director of the Seniors Council. “This gives us the opportunity to get seniors hooked up with health services before they’re desperate for them.”
The fair, co-sponsored by agencies such as Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, The Health Trust and the Visiting Nurse Association, to name a few, will provide free health screenings for vision, dental and hearing, in addition to several other screenings, with the intent of increasing people’s knowledge of their personal health, said Pauline Valdivia, executive director of Jovenes de Antano, a local senior center.
“So many things happen after 60 – people begin dealing with a lot more health issues,” Valdivia said. “We want people to know there are services provided in the community that can help them follow the route to good health.”
A pharmacist will also be available to give prescription screenings, which are vital to many seniors who are taking several different medications, Kempf said.
“It’s to make sure seniors aren’t taking one medication that does one thing, and another medication that counters it,” he said. “We see that a lot, especially when they start going to specialists who don’t know about other medications they’re taking.”
Throughout the day, health care professionals will give workshops dealing with important health care topics such as preventing diabetes through diet, new Medicare benefits and maximizing memory.
Gail Stevens and George “Bud” Winslow are local representatives in the California Senior Legislature, a governmental body mirroring the state Legislature but composed of senior citizens, and will be available throughout the day to answer any questions about local and statewide legislation pertaining to seniors, Kempf said.
While the fair is focused on seniors, all community members are still encouraged to participate in the free event, said Barbara Nicoara, a board member of the Seniors Council and the Long Term Care Commission.
“I’ve had people in their 20s and 30s ask, ‘Do I have to be old to come?'” Nicoara said. “Absolutely not, it’s open to everyone, it’s just focused around seniors.”
The fair will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building, located at 649 San Benito St. in Hollister, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. A lunch will be provided for a contribution of $2 for seniors and $5 for people under 60. For more information, contact the Seniors Council at (831) 688-0400.
