Special to the
Opelika Observer
The Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center, in coordination with the Robert and Marjorie Goodson Foundation, the Lee-Russell Council of Governments Agency on Aging and the Opelika City Council, will be hosting a health fair for seniors ages 55 or older Oct. 2. The fair will take place from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Sportsplex gymnasium.
Free and open to the public, it will feature a variety of free services including blood pressure checks, glucose checks, balance exams, vision screenings, cholesterol checks, hemoglobin screenings, depression screenings, medication evaluations and a plethora of information about senior health and care.
“It is so important for seniors to be armed with knowledge about their health,” said Valeri White, SportsPlex Senior Program Coordinator. “Through the testing provided at the health fair, we have caught high blood pressure, diabetes and other issues that some of our seniors didn’t know they had.”
In addition to free testing, seniors can also receive their flu shot while they are at the health fair. Medical Arts Pharmacy will be at the health fair providing the vaccination, protecting seniors within the time frame recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since it takes two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against the flu to develop in the body, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated before the end of October.
The SportsPlex Senior Heath Fair will also provide access to resources including information on sitter services, hospice, home care, retirement, assisted living and other services available to seniors.
“It is so important for caregivers and seniors to know all of the resources available in our area,” White said. “Whether they need them now or will need them in the future, the health fair allows them to meet with local organizations and feel connected.”
The Opelika SportsPlex is located at 1001 Andrews Road. For more information, call (334) 705-5560.