National Senior Health and Fitness Day attracts nearly 800 Visitors

Bartlett resident Walter Moran, 79, had concerns about vision loss. Since retiring more than a decade ago, he has spent much of his time as a volunteer driver for the Meals on Wheels program. "I have had many friends who have had to give up volunteering because they were losing their eye sight, or had other similar problems that prevented them from being a volunteer. It is heartbreaking, explained Moran, "because I really don't see anyone taking our place when we leave. Some of us have made volunteering our second career, people rely on us to be there."

Fortunately a quick vision test indicated that he was merely in need of a new pair of glasses to correct his near-sightedness. Walter was just one of many who took advantage of the free health screenings offered during the Alexian Older Adult Institute's Senior Health and Fitness Day held at the Stonegate Conference Center in Hoffman Estates on May 30, which was attended by more than 500 people.

The daylong Senior Health and Fitness event included an array of workshops, screenings, and activities designed especially for seniors. Among the speakers were physicians and clinicians from the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network who provided information and led discussions on such topics as arthritis control, nutrition, and preventive health. Participatory programs such as Tai Chi and line dancing were also part of the day's activities.

The event was quite impressive," said Tina Godin, program manager of the National Senior Health & Fitness Day (NSHFD) located in Libertyville. The Alexian Brothers event was part of the 13th annual NSHFD, the nation's largest health promotion event for older adults. Organized as a public/private good health partnership, National Senior Health & Fitness Day offered fitness activities for older adults at more than 1,000 locations including hospitals, park and recreation departments, senior centers, health clubs, retirement communities, houses of worship, health departments and other community locations. The event is always held on the last Wednesday in May as part of Older Americans Month activities.

Sarah Glumm, director of the Alexian Older Adult Institute, said she received many positive comments from those in attendance regarding the educational programs offered and the types of screenings available, which also included tests for hearing, blood pressure, osteoporosis, and even depression. "The support from our sponsors and vendors was amazing," said Glumm. Among those were Melissa Carrick, Community Liaison with Lexington Health Care in Schaumburg and Streamwood, who hoped that the event would return next year. "There was so much for the attendees to do. This was a very valuable resource for seniors across the northwest suburbs, there was something for everyone who came."

The nationally recognized Alexian Older Adult Institute provides comprehensive services to older adults from wellness, to the early detection of disease, through post-acute care, with the goal of helping patients make the most of their quality of life.