Senior Health Fair Slated for Nov. 4 at YMCA of Greenfield

GREENFIELD – Baystate Franklin Medical Center and the YMCA of Greenfield will hold a Senior Health Fair and Functional Fitness Assessment on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA, 454 Main St.

The event, for individuals age 60 and older, will feature a variety of screenings, fitness assessments, information stations, guest speakers, and healing modalities to explore. The event is free and open to the public; lunch will be provided at noon. Both the Y and BFMC have held Senior Health Fairs in the past; this will be the third year the two organizations are partnering.

According to Jayne Trosin, fitness director at the YMCA, “this annual event has been very well-attended by our YMCA senior participants and by the community at large. We are delighted to continue our partnership with BFMC to offer a large variety of both screenings and exhibits.”

Coordinating the BFMC contribution to the fair is Stephanie Swan, nurse educator. “This annual collaboration with the YMCA is always a very fun and educational event,” she said. “Staff from numerous Baystate Franklin departments will be there providing health education for senior citizens.”

YMCA staff will administer the functional fitness assessment, which includes six elements: lower body strength, upper body strength, aerobic endurance, lower body flexibility, upper body flexibility, and agility and balance.

BFMC departments represented will include the Emergency Department, Medical-Surgical, Birthplace, Cardiopulmonary, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Audiology, Case Management, and Baystate Home Infusion, offering various screenings (such as hearing and balance testing), information on assistive devices, heart-healthy information, and Reiki and stroke education.

Participants can test their healthcare knowledge with a ‘Wheel of Health’ game. In addition to YMCA and BFMC staff, vendors from other healthcare-related services will be exhibiting at the fair.

During lunch, three guest speakers will be featured: Dr. Tom Higgins, interim president and CEO of Baystate Franklin Medical Center, speaking on senior health; cardiologist Dr. Heba Wassif, on what to monitor with new medications and the side effects they can cause; and nurse practitioner Pamela McLean, on cancer prevention.

There is no charge for the Senior Health Fair, which is open to YMCA members and the general public alike. Pre-registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, call (413) 773-3646, ext. 448, or register at the YMCA Welcome Center.