Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Nearly 100 town residents not all seniors visited the Pleasant View Senior Center last Wednesday to learn about a variety of topics at the center's annual Health Fair on National Senior Health and Fitness Day. Nancy Yesu, activity assistant director at the Council on Aging (COA), said there was a steady flow of visitors the entire time the fair was open, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. "There was a great range in age," she added. Visitors had the chance to peruse exhibits from Mercy Medical Center, the "Clutter Doctor" Carleen Hoffman, Hampden Hearing, Keystone Woods, Redstone Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, Shoenique, Jewish Geriatric Services, Senior Olympics participant Carl Fetterol and more. Yesu said one of the most popular exhibits was from Branford Hall Career Institute's massage students, who had six chairs set up to provide short, free massages. Mary Jenewin-Kaplin of Jewish Geriatric Services stated this year's fair provided her with "a savvy group of seniors." "They knew a lot," Jenewin-Kaplin said. "A lot of people were asking about adult day healthcare. People want to know a way to stay home safely. These are people who know a little more and are seeking help." Outside the center, the Mercy Bloodmobile took pint-sized donations and the Lions Club District 33Y EyeMobile provided five different free health screenings. Carl Rathmann, district president, said the EyeMobile received about one dozen visitors during its stay at the center. Upon entering the RV, visitors started with a blood pressure and pulse check, which was followed by a hearing acuity test, visual acuity, internal eye pressure and optic nerve imaging. While Lions Club members perform the tests, they are not able to make diagnoses they can only identify when something looks off, and suggest that a person seek professional medical assistance, Rathmann said. Bill Rathbun, Lions Club council chair, said the organization has a goal of preventing curable blindness and that the EyeMobile is helping them toward that goal. "We had an excellent fair this year," Sandy Grabierz, activity director for the COA, said. "Our intent was to provide a wider variety of things [than we have in the past], and I think we had a really good mix this year." Board of Selectmen Chair Jim Driscoll agreed. He, along with Fire Chief Dick Brady and Board of Selectmen Executive Secretary Nick Breault, stopped by to visit the health fair. "It was a spectacular event with a great selection," Driscoll said. "Our COA director, Carolyn [Brennan], is doing a phenomenal job. "The fair is important because it's important for seniors in need of services to have the vendors come to them," he continued. To learn more about National Senior Health and Fitness Day, visit www.fitnessday.com. | ||||||
