More than 250 North Hawaii senior citizens participated in North Hawaii Community Hospital’s 24th annual Senior Health Fair on Sunday, May 20.
More than 250 North Hawaii senior citizens participated in North Hawaii Community Hospital’s 24th annual Senior Health Fair on Sunday, May 20.
Normally held in November, this annual outreach event was moved to late May in support of National Senior Health and Fitness Day.
“This event provides complimentary health screenings and wellness education to nearly 250 seniors in North Hawaii and helps to fulfill the hospital’s mission ‘to improve the health status of the people of North Hawaii by improving access to care and providing high quality services at a reasonable cost,’” said Ken Wood, NHCH president and CEO.
This event is one of two annual community outreach events held by NHCH; the other event is Girls Night Out, which is held in October to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month. A variety of free health screenings and health educational information were available to North Hawaii seniors.
“This health fair is often the only time seniors in our community have the opportunity to receive health screenings by physicians, registered nurses and other medical professionals who graciously donate their time and services,” said Lorrie Mortensen, NHCH vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer.
Complimentary health screenings included: cholesterol, glucose and oral screenings, hearing tests, stroke risk assessments, skin checks, eye screenings, holistic care services, foot screenings, blood pressure, bone density screenings, and blood tests.
Seniors were also treated to complimentary lunch, Bingo, live music by ‘A‘oia and door prizes, thanks to the support of many local businesses.
Health and wellness education was also provided by the following vendors: Tutu’s House, Hawaii Fire and Police Departments, Family Chiropractor, NHCH’s Kohala Home Health Care, NHCH’s Diabetes Wellness Center, Foodland, Legal Shield and Ho‘oNani Place, Hawaii Island Beacon Community, Hawaii Life Flight and more.
“We greatly appreciate the efforts, donations and volunteers whose help made this event possible,” said Wood. “From physicians and nurses who donated their time offering free health screenings, to farmers who donated their crops to provide free lunch, this event was truly a community effort to support the health and wellness of our North Hawaii seniors.”
This event was also supported by a grant from the Richard Smart Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation.