Hundreds Attend Senior Health Expo

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Eager guests gathered at the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside to attend RichnerLIVE and the Herald’s Senior Health & Beyond Expo, presented by Mount Sinai South Nassau and brought to you by UnitedHealthcare, on June 23.

The Expo is a community-anticipated event, where long-time loved and trusted businesses and facilities — as well as up-and-coming companies — share their products and services with Long Islanders.

“It’s so nice to be back to host this expo live, again, and to see the overwhelming turnout,” Executive Director of Corporate Relations & Events at Herald Community Newspapers and RichnerLIVE Amy Amato said, welcoming the crowd.

More than 55 vendors lined the gym to share their expertise in health, insurance, lifestyle tips, estate planning, products, and more. Not only was there an opportunity to improve health and habits, but also enjoy a day of shopping, snacks, entertainment, and raffles.

The Ms. New York Senior America Season Steppers showcased their tap dance talents and jovial heart in a wonderful performance, sporting bright sequenced uniforms and smiles — followed by a movement session led by Noa Semel from Premier Assist in Cedarhurst who got the audience’s blood pumping with some stretching and dancing.

Comedian Howard Newman kicked-off the hour-long panel discussion with some laughs, welcoming keynote speakers Michael Krantz, licensed sales representative from UnitedHealthcare, and Dr. Saima Rashid, primary care physician at Mount Sinai South Nassau.

“The Senior Health & Beyond Expo was a great event and it was so nice to see people coming out and engaging in senior topics,” UnitedHealthcare Representative Krantz said. “Medicare in particular is always a complex subject matter and it was an amazing experience to be able to provide information and answer questions at the local community level; I always look forward to helping those in need of understanding their different options.”

Guests also heard from panelists Josh Herzig, EVP of business development at Beach Terrace Care Center; Khurshid Ibrahimi, PT, from Long Beach Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (Cassena Care); Charles Reyes, RN, MSN from AgeWell New York; Jill Wasser, utility consumer program specialist at NYS Department of Public Service; and Dr. Esther Fogel from Comprehensive Audiology. The audience interacted and asked questions between each speaker, while enjoying organic cotton candy from Simply Sugar.

Guests viewed a Medicare Made Clear presentation from UnitedHealthcare and listened to various topics such as Geriatric Care with specialist Dr. Saima Rashid, Hearing Health with Dr. Fogel, What Beach Terrace Can Offer You with Josh Herzig, Injury Prevention & Lifting Objects with Physical Therapist Khurshid Ibrahimi, and Allergies & Asthma with Registered Nurse Charles Reyes.

Dr. Fogel also offered free hearing screenings at the event; attendees lined the hall patiently waiting for their appointment — one of the many services offered at the expo. Others included senior I.D. cards from the Town of Hempstead, health screenings, and tarot card readings from the Holistic Healing Goddess.

“The event was very well attended, much better than I anticipated it being,” panelist Herzig of Beach Terrace Care Center — who spoke of the quality of care at their nationally recognized 5-star facility at the discussion — said. “We take great pride in providing the highest caliber of care to our residents.”

Attendees received a goody bag — courtesy of Grandell Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Oceanside Care Center — filled with coupons, keepsakes, and information.

The Expo, brought to you by UnitedHealthcare, was made possible thanks to presenting sponsor Mount Sinai South Nassau; gold sponsors Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC and Stefans Law Group; silver sponsors AgeWell New York, Maple Pointe of Chelsea Senior Living, Comprehensive Audiology, Cassena Care, Beach Terrace Care Center, Syl-Lee Antiques; and refreshment and snack sponsors Long Beach Assisted Living and Long Island Bagel Cafe of Oceanside.

Guests and vendors are looking forward to the next Senior Health & Beyond Expo, happening this coming fall. In the meantime, keep an eye out for more expos and events from the Herald and RichnerLIVE at richnerlive.com.