Activities, free health screenings set for Senior Day
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent August 2, 2012 2:54PM
Hundreds of senior citizens come out each year to take advantage of festivities at the Lake County Fair geared especially for them, including health screenings, entertainment and contests, such as apple peeling. | Archive~Sun-Times Media
Updated: September 3, 2012 6:12AM
Fair time is fun time for kids of all ages.
Just ask the hundreds of senior citizens who come out for the Franciscan Alliance Senior Citizens’ Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday at the Lake County Fair.
“It’s just a way to honor our seniors and let them know we value them,” said Ellen Sharpe, regional director of physician and outreach marketing for Franciscan Alliance. Hundreds of senior citizens come out each year to take advantage of the festivities geared especially for them, including health screenings, contests and entertainment.
Mike Fraley, superintendent of special events, said seniors can participate in the apple peeling and red hat contests as part of the day’s activities.
“It’s a special day to honor our seniors,” Farley said.
Free water and snacks will be provided. Entertainment includes the Goldtones at 9 a.m. and the Calumet Chorus of the Sweet Adelines barbershop quartet at 6 p.m.
Sharpe said Franciscan St. Anthony Health in Crown Point has hosted Senior Citizens’ Day for years, and the health care group recently regionalized it through the other hospitals in its Northwest Indiana network, including Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster and Franciscan St. Margaret Health in Dyer and Hammond, and Franciscan St. Anthony in Michigan City.
“The fair is such a popular community event. We like to go out in the community where our patients are. (Seniors) are a group of people we have a multitude of services we can offer to them to promote their best health,” Sharpe said.
A variety of free health screenings will be available, including blood glucose testing, blood pressure, body fat analysis and pulmonary function assessment. Information on nutrition, senior services, stroke, continence and wound care also will be available.
New this year will be an informational booth from the Rehabilitation Institutes of Chicago, the No. 1 rehabilitation institute in the nation, Sharpe said. Seniors will be able to obtain information on services and how to improve balance.
“It’s an exciting day for us to be out there. It’s important for Franciscan to show our commitment to community and to the patients we serve. It’s an important part of our mission,” Sharpe said.
