The “50 and Better” Senior Health Fair transforms the DMU Student Education Center from study space to a one-stop-shop open to anyone interested in information and resources for staying healthy later in life.
The 2014 Senior Health Fair boasted a record number of booths, and the relaxed, social setting also featured ballroom-style dance lessons for activity and entertainment.
Attendees could visit vendors to learn more about senior-focused products, participate in activities such as chair yoga, and access free screenings for vision, skin cancer, blood pressure, balance and more. It remained difficult to keep up with the demand for our ever-popular cholesterol and bone density screenings and plans are in the works to increase availability in the next year.
Senior Health Fair, which is organized by the Geriatrics Club in collaboration with the Community Relations Department, provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn how to care for and interact with their future patients and community members, said Mary Ahlers, D.O.’17, 2014 Geriatrics Club President.
“Each year, our guests at the Senior Health Fair provide us with an irreplaceable chance to do so and a reminder that we are very privileged to be a part of the future of medicine and healthcare.”
Many participants commented that they look forward to the event, which is in its 10th year, annually. Evaluations from the event showed that many attendees plan to change their behaviors based on information learned at Senior Health Fair, be that seeing a dermatologist, increasing whole grains and fruits in their diet or stretching more.
Also introduced this year were cooking demonstrations and samples, fresh from our Wellness teaching kitchen.
As one participant put it, Senior Health Fair proved “way beyond expectations.” Mark your calendar for next year: Senior Health Fair will be held November 7, 2015.
View a gallery of images from the 2014 Senior Health Fair:
