Fall is in the air and, with that, it is now time, especially if you are a senior citizen, to get vaccinated to combat the flu and its complications.
Lackawanna County is once again making it easy for area residents to do so. The County’s Community Relations, Community Outreach and Communications Departments and its Area Agency on Aging are conducting a Senior Health Fair and providing flu shots in conjunction with Visiting Nurse Association of Lackawanna County.
This free event is scheduled for Friday, September 14, from 10 am – 1 pm in The Mohegan Sun Club Level at PNC Field, Moosic.
The fair, which is being sponsored by Geisinger Community Medical Center, Traditional Home Health & Hospice, Miracle Ear, Sweet Home Healthcare, Saber Healthcare & Personal Healthcare, Commonwealth Health EMS, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Allied Services, Pennsylvania Lottery, Visiting Nurse Association of Lackawanna County, Fairview Memorial Park, Matt Burne Honda, Pennsylvania Ambulance, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, Community Care Behavioral Health, and Northeastern Eye Institute, will feature a total of 55 exhibitors, offering information on a variety of programs, services, living arrangements, legal information, sight and hearing data, transportation, and financial advice.
“This program has been a huge success over the past seven years. It is important to alert the public on how to stay healthy. We also want our seniors to know what services are available to help them out,” noted Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley.
“This health fair has become a huge part of our Human Services programming,” said Lackawanna County Commissioner Jerry Notarianni. “The people who attend not only get a flu shot, but they also can learn about programs that they could utilize for themselves, a family member or a friend.”
“The Senior Health Fair is a great avenue to secure important information and to also safeguard one’s health through the blood pressure screenings and other self-help checks that are available at the event,” said Commissioner Laureen A. Cummings.
Flu shots will be given continuously throughout the day by staff from the Visiting Nurse Association of Lackawanna County. Attendees will need to provide their insurance or Medicare cards and name as a means of matching them to the serum batch that they receive.
Once the guests receive their flu shot, they will be able to visit the vendor displays and take part in the various medical screenings and other services being provided.
The Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office will be conducting an anonymous prescription and non-prescription drug take back at the Senior Health Fair. No injectable units or devices can be accepted. All attendees are encouraged to participate.
The YMCA will engage the guests in a Zumba exercise.
Refreshments will be served. There will also be various giveaways at the booths and prize drawings.
Rides from the various community centers will be provided by COLTS. Registration is required.
Along with the sponsors, participating are: AETNA – Nachlis Insurance Services, Alzheimer’s Association, American Lung Association, CareGivers America, Citizens Savings Bank (donor only), Colbert & Grebas, P.C., COLTS, Compassionate Care Hospice, Connect America Medical Alert, Genesis Abington Manor, Gift of Life Donor Program, Greater Scranton YMCA, and Hospice of The Sacred Heart.
Also, Jewish Family Service of NEPA, Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, Lackawanna County Blind Association, Lackawanna County Department of Elections, Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, Lackawanna County Office of Environmental Sustainability, Lackawanna County Highway Safety, Northeast Highway Safety & PennDOT, Lackawanna County Library System, Lackawanna County Fair Committee, Lackawanna Pro Bono, Inc. Linwood Nursing Rehab Center, and Lutherwood Apartments.
Also, Marshall, Parker & Weber, LLC., Meals on Wheels of NEPA, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Revolutionary Home Care, St. Mary’s Villa, Serving Seniors, Inc., Telespond Senior Services, Inc., The Jewish Home of Eastern PA, The Wright Center, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Visiting Angels, Voluntary Action Center, and Wayne Woodlands Manor.
The Commissioners would like to extend their thanks to all of the sponsors who have helped to promote the growth of this event. The Senior Health Fair could not have achieved the success it has without the public-private partnerships that have been forged over the years.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Meals On Wheels of NEPA.
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