Southbury health fair keeps seniors in loop
August 29, 2006
BY SYDNEY SCHWARTZ
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
SOUTHBURY - They came for medical information, blood pressure checks and, perhaps, for freebies and a free lunch.
BY SYDNEY SCHWARTZ
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
SOUTHBURY - They came for medical information, blood pressure checks and, perhaps, for freebies and a free lunch.
Les Szabel, 87, came to the Heritage Village Health Fair to learn about assisted living facilities - so he'll have the information in case he needs it.
Marie Morelli, 65, came to learn about vascular disease and elder care because she recently moved her 93-year-old aunt from Florida.
Fran Goldberg, 77, came for a blood pressure check, along with all the freebies and the gourmet lunch.
"No matter how much you think you know about these things, you always find something new and interesting," said Goldberg, who has lived in Heritage Village for 15 years. "I think it's wonderful that they do this."
About 150 residents attended the annual Heritage Village Civic Association Health Fair at the Victor Borge Meeting House Monday morning. The came to learn about wellness centers, health and elderly care and to pick up materials from organizations like Kensington Green, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care and the Town of Southbury Senior Services.
"My health, of course, is always a concern. I want to make sure that I'm doing the right things," said Jocelyn Winston, 83, who moved from Danbury last year. "I've got a shopping bag. When I get home I will sit and read and toss."
The Heritage Village Civic Association, an independent organization concerned with the welfare of villagers, has been sponsoring health fairs for more than a decade. The organization also provides rides to doctors' offices, seminars and lunches and free blood pressure checks, amongst other services.
"Information not only is power, but it calms you down," said civic association President Frieda Denenmark. "You get knowledge and it liberates you from anxiety."
Denenmark said the association picks topics that are important to seniors to give them greater control over their lives. For many years, the event has focused on neurology. This year organizers reached out to other specialties, as well.
For several years, Mike Proulx, a senior representative for Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company, has been coordinating speakers and booths and providing the lunch.
On Monday, there were lectures by Dr. Clifford J. Appel, a gastroenterologist at Danbury Internal Medicine Associates; Dr. Paul Bellofiore, a cardiologist at Greater Waterbury Primary Care; Dr. Anthony Kim, of Urology Specialists in Waterbury; and Dr. Samuel Markind of Associated Neurologists in Danbury.
Next year, for Heritage Village's 40th anniversary, Proulx said he'll likely focus on diabetes. The event will be held Aug. 20.
"You try to make it better every year and you get more people involved," he said. "That's what they're here for, to ask questions without having to sit in a waiting room."
Marie Morelli, 65, came to learn about vascular disease and elder care because she recently moved her 93-year-old aunt from Florida.
Fran Goldberg, 77, came for a blood pressure check, along with all the freebies and the gourmet lunch.
"No matter how much you think you know about these things, you always find something new and interesting," said Goldberg, who has lived in Heritage Village for 15 years. "I think it's wonderful that they do this."
About 150 residents attended the annual Heritage Village Civic Association Health Fair at the Victor Borge Meeting House Monday morning. The came to learn about wellness centers, health and elderly care and to pick up materials from organizations like Kensington Green, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care and the Town of Southbury Senior Services.
"My health, of course, is always a concern. I want to make sure that I'm doing the right things," said Jocelyn Winston, 83, who moved from Danbury last year. "I've got a shopping bag. When I get home I will sit and read and toss."
The Heritage Village Civic Association, an independent organization concerned with the welfare of villagers, has been sponsoring health fairs for more than a decade. The organization also provides rides to doctors' offices, seminars and lunches and free blood pressure checks, amongst other services.
"Information not only is power, but it calms you down," said civic association President Frieda Denenmark. "You get knowledge and it liberates you from anxiety."
Denenmark said the association picks topics that are important to seniors to give them greater control over their lives. For many years, the event has focused on neurology. This year organizers reached out to other specialties, as well.
For several years, Mike Proulx, a senior representative for Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company, has been coordinating speakers and booths and providing the lunch.
On Monday, there were lectures by Dr. Clifford J. Appel, a gastroenterologist at Danbury Internal Medicine Associates; Dr. Paul Bellofiore, a cardiologist at Greater Waterbury Primary Care; Dr. Anthony Kim, of Urology Specialists in Waterbury; and Dr. Samuel Markind of Associated Neurologists in Danbury.
Next year, for Heritage Village's 40th anniversary, Proulx said he'll likely focus on diabetes. The event will be held Aug. 20.
"You try to make it better every year and you get more people involved," he said. "That's what they're here for, to ask questions without having to sit in a waiting room."
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