New York State Senator Siela Bynoe, in partnership with Mayor Francis X. Murray, offered a Senior Health Fair at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center in Rockville Centre. This free event was created for connecting older residents with well-informed and healthy resources.
“Our seniors are the pillars of the community,” Bynoe said. “That’s why it is important that we create access and elevate awareness regarding important services related to senior health.”
Dozens visited the recreation center on Oct. 3 to take in all that was offered. Numerous vendors, including Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, came out to share their resources with the community. The Hospital provided Flu vaccines and health screenings such as cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, diabetes risk assessment and stroke risk assessment.
Abigail Fromm, Director of Community Education at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, discussed the importance of coming out into the community: “It’s really hard for other people to go to healthcare facilities. We know that access is really not that easy anymore, whether it’s something due to insurance, transportation or other reasons.”
A wide variety of organizations set up tables within the center to offer information and resources connecting them to the healthcare and wellbeing residents may need. Among those was the Sandel Senior Center, which provides senior residents of Rockville Centre with essential services for them and their families.
“Our senior citizens in our community are very important,” Debbie Cuevas, a senior citizen program development aid at Sandel Senior Center, said. “They have a wealth of knowledge and I feel that to be around our seniors is something that you just can’t replace. It’s very crucial to our community and for our young people to learn from their experience and carry on their traditions.”
When it comes to legalities, Rhonda L. Maco, managing attorney, was there to help seniors with elder care and life estates services. “I assist with overall health and just making sure you have the appropriate documents and in place for your family,” she said. “That way you can protect your assets, understand what type of benefits you may be qualified for and just making sure that you have all the things in place so that way you and your next of kin will be protected.”
Attendees walked through the fair over four hours to take the provided information and resources offered to them.
“We showcased information about medical alert systems, Able-Ride, and free health screenings and flu shots,” Bynoe said. “It’s wonderful that local healthcare providers like Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital and Nassau University Medical Center were able to offer their services.”
