VERO BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2005) - To help celebrate 30 years of caring for the community, the Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast is hosting a Senior & Caregiver Health Fair on Friday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Vero Beach Community Center, 2266 14th Ave. Admission is free and the fair is open to the public.
The event, which coincides with Healthy Aging Month, will include health screenings, community resource booths, samples, educational materials, guest speakers covering pertinent senior-related topics, consultations, door prizes and refreshments.
"Staying healthy can be a challenge for our community’s aging population. The goal of this fair is to provide practical health information to seniors and caregivers on various health issues and resources available to assist them. We’ll offer attendees a wide variety of useful information, as well as screenings and programs designed to keep them active, healthy and independent - which is part of VNA’s wellness mission," said Sharon Broome, VNA president and CEO.
Among the free screenings are blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiac, vision, pulse oximetry, balance, glaucoma and Alpha 1 deficit. For blood sugar and cholesterol screenings, participants should fast from midnight on. Information will be provided on area resources for seniors such as support groups, advance directives, stroke prevention, mental health, Medicare drug coverage, affordable housing, and volunteer and training opportunities. Additionally, VNA nurses and therapists will be available to answer questions on health and safety issues, including diabetes, immunizations, osteoporosis and medication interactions and side effects.
Guest speaker presentations will be held in the community center’s Florida Room; there will be time for questions and answers following each speaker. The schedule is as follows: 9:30-10:45 a.m., Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Seniors Personal Safety and Seniors vs. Crime; 11-11:45 a.m., Jim Schorner, attorney and CPA, End-of-Life Planning; noon-12:45 p.m., VNA Hospice of Indian River County, Caring for the Caregiver and What is Hospice?; and 1-1:45 p.m., Social Security Administration, 2006 Prescription Drug Benefit.
Exhibitors include: 211 Help Line, 50 Plus Lifestyles, AARP, Alpha 1 Foundation, Alzheimer/Parkinson Association of Indian River County, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Bracken Counseling Center, Center for Advanced Eye Care, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Service, Florida Eye Institute, Greens+, HealthSouth, Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, Indian River County Council on Aging, Indian River County Health Department Heart2Heart/Chronic Disease Health Promotion and Education Program, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Indian River Habitat for Humanity, Indian River Memorial Hospital, The Lakes at Pointe West, Living Yoga, Mental Health Association of Indian River County, Nightingale Private Duty Nursing, Norman Meyer, MD, Perkins Medical Supply, School District of Indian River County Adult & Community Education, Society of Certified Senior Advisors, Substance Abuse Council of Indian River County, Vero Orthopaedics/Vero Neurology, Dogs for Life, Inc., Visiting Nurse Association of the Treasure Coast, VNA & Hospice Foundation and VNA Hospice of Indian River County.
The event is sponsored by The Lakes at Pointe West and Perkins Medical Supply, and hosted by the Visiting Nurse Association. For more information about the fair, call the VNA at (772) 567-5551 or send an e-mail to Kristine Woolley.
