Special to the
Opelika Observer
The Opelika SportsPlex and the Robert and Marjorie Goodson Estate are hosting the “7th Annual SportsPlex Senior Health and Resource Fair” on Oct. 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This health fair is free and open to the public and will provide access to numerous free services to adults ages 55 and older.
The health fair will feature more than 50 vendors that accommodate a wide variety of needs. Whether someone is just beginning to navigate Medicare and supplemental insurance, or someone is looking for home health options, there will be numerous agencies and providers in attendance to explain their options.
“It is important for adults to feel empowered as they navigate the aging process,” said SportsPlex Adult Activities Coordinator Valeri White. “We want to give them the knowledge to advocate for their own needs as they come.”
The SportsPlex Senior Health and Resource Fair promotes preventative care by providing free screenings and a plethora of knowledge in one location. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), half of the country’s population has been diagnosed with a chronic illness classified by the medical community as preventable. Offering these preventative services under one roof ultimately makes it easier for the senior population to access and utilize them.
This year’s health and resource fair will provide a multitude of free services for seniors including:
The Southern Union State Community College Nursing Program will be performing blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol checks and hemoglobin screenings.
The East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) Cancer Center will be doing men’s Prostrate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood work to test for prostate cancer.
Complete Care Chiropractic will provide sEMG exams to measure muscular compensation around the spine.
Hearing Life Clinic will perform hearing tests to diagnose potential hearing loss.
Kindred at Home will perform balance tests to assess static balance and postural stability.
Walmart Vision Center will provide vision screenings to look for potential vision loss and eye disorders.
Medical Arts Pharmacy will be providing flu shots.
This year’s health and resource fair will also provide a wide variety of vendors that will help educate seniors and allow them to shop for providers at one location, including:
- Advocacy groups
- Assisted living providers
- Community health resources
- Healthcare providers
- Home health providers
- Hospice care providers
- Insurance providers
- Rehabilitation providers
- Vision providers and
- Volunteer opportunities.
There will also be opportunities to view and participate in group fitness classes. Classes that are specifically tailored to senior adults, like Zumba Gold and Tai Chi, will be demonstrated during the health fair so that participants can gauge their interest or try them out.
The SportsPlex Senior Health and Resource Fair is supported by the Robert and Marjorie Goodson Estate. Robert and Marjorie Goodson owned and operated a jewelry store in Opelika for more than 50 years.
Many of their customers from their early days in business are now members of the senior population in Opelika, and according to Doug Horn, co-executor of their estate, this health fair is a great way to pay back some of the people who helped them with their business 50 years ago.
“The Goodsons wanted to give back to Opelika, a community that they loved. If we can provide preventative measures that keep someone from experiencing an illness, we are able to honor their memory in that way,” Horn said.
For more information about the fair, call 334-705-2493 or visit www.opelikasportsplex.com. The SportsPlex is located at 1001 Andrews Road.
