Health fair enables the elderly with free health screenings, nutritional information
MaryAnn Placker of Montz has been battling hypertension for years, so it’s important that she takes her medication correctly and monitors her blood pressure regularly – something the Council On Aging helps her do.
“I go to all of my doctor’s visits, but I also get my blood pressure checked each month through the Council On Aging,” said Placker. “It helps me keep track of my numbers without having to make an appointment.”
In addition to the organization’s recurring monthly blood pressure screenings at various parish locations, a health and information fair was organized last weekend in honor of “Older Americans Month.”
The event, which is the first of it’s kind in eight years for the COA, featured 11 different screenings and had on hand 20 health providers to help educate parish seniors.
“We had a good turnout this year, considering that it was our first health fair in several years. Over 100 hundred seniors showed up,” said Stephanie Boudreaux, spokesperson for the COA.
“And we received a lot of compliments from both our seniors and health care providers on the success of the event.”
Providing adult literacy services were Guardian Hospice, YMCA Educational Services, Luling Rehabilitation and the Council On Aging.
The LSU AgCenter was also present, educating seniors on the hidden salt, sugars and fats found in everyday diets.
Providing balance assessments, memory screenings and blood pressure checks were River Region Rehab, Visiting Angels and St. Charles Parish Hospital.
The Medical Team, Inc. also performed hypertension checks in addition to food sampling, medication reviews and outreach programs along with the Aging and Disability Resource Center, Walgreens Pharmacy and the Greater N.O. Nutrition Specialists.
Capitol Area Legal Services in partnership with LaCHIP provided patrons with information on Medicaid, legal issues and consumer rights.
The Fitness Club in Boutte instructed seniors of healthy and safe workouts while St. Charles Vision provided free vision screenings.
The St. Charles TRIAD and Louisiana Department of Insurance educated visitors on safety and consumer advocacy, and the St. Charles Community Health Center provided glucose screenings.
“Our goal was to give seniors the opportunity to learn about important health issues and guide them in the right direction,” said Boudreaux.
“We had a good number of health providers who participated this year and hope to get more local physicians and experts for our next fair.”
Door prizes were also awarded to seniors who attended the event.
Winners included:
•YMCA Educational Resources – Georgia Landry, Josephine Pitre and Mary Helen Hiandle.
•River Region Rehab – Rosie McDowel, Viola Sumler, Alfred Sumler, Norman Alexander, Elouise Mathews, Joann Hymel and Judy Cooley.
•Capitol Area Legal Services – Karen Waguespack and Virgie Naquin.
•The Fitness Club – Wanda McClung.
•Guardian Angel Hospice – Dolly Bergeron.
The COA will provides blood pressure checks each month at Norco, New Sarpy and Luling centers.
Call 985-783-6683 for details.
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