Senior health fair coming to New London
New London — With many of the region’s older folks forced into isolation over the past year by the pandemic, a regional health fair planned for Sept. 9 is expected to be inspiration for senior citizens to get back out.
The health fair is being organized by the New London Senior Affairs Commission and will not only serve as the kickoff to the group’s annual Life Enrichment Series but serve as an unofficial reopening of the senior center on Broad Street.
The center actually opened earlier this month but with a scaled-back number of programs and diminished number of participants, said Karen Paul, chair of the Senior Affairs Commission.
She said the idea of the fair is to provide one-stop shopping for seniors. Experts in the field will provide information on everything from nutrition and exercise to disease and medications.
The event is going to bring together numerous members of the health and business communities, with a focus on seniors. There are representatives expected from Nutmeg Pharmacy, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Ledge Light Health District, Sound Community Services and more. There will be COVID-19 vaccinations and flu shots, cholesterol screenings available and representatives to talk about medical conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to osteoporosis.
Special Associate Attorney General Sandra Arenas, chief of the Division of Constituents and Affairs, will be on hand to discuss the state’s Elder Justice Hotline, 1 (860) 808-5555, which is billed as the state’s new “one-stop shop” for older in adults in Connecticut in need of information, aid and justice.
“We’ve had an unbelievable response,” said Dr. Frank Maletz, liaison to the Senior Affairs Commission. “At every table there will be a local representative from someone who provides services for seniors in the community.”
“My goal was to have representation from local businesses who have a role to play in the health of seniors,” he said.
Paul said that while the event is geared toward seniors, younger folks and caregivers also may benefit and are welcome. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the New London Senior Center, 120 Broad St.
Anyone looking for transportation to the event should contact Paul at karenannepaul@gmail.com.
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