Seniors enjoy free wellness screenings

The Health and Wellness Expo at the Colley Senior Complex on Tuesday was a great success with about 250 seniors participating.

“We could not have been more pleased with the turnout,” said Janet Motes, complex director. “There was a steady flow from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and most of the seniors went though several of the checks. We tried to have health screenings and checks that are not always available at all health fairs, such as bone density and prostate screenings.”

Motes said the Health and Wellness Expo was designed especially for seniors and their needs.

“Our seniors have requested a health fair like this and they responded with their attendan.” The expo was also a learning experience for Motes and her staff.

“The ‘Alzheimer’s and Dementia’ and ‘Falls Prevention and Home Safety Check’ workshops were very well attended,” she said. “So well attended that we are already considering doing a series of workshops on Alzheimer’s and dementia and also focusing on caregivers. We saw a real interest there and also a great need.”

Out of the expo also came the encouragement to write a grant for the lifesaver bracelets for Alzheimer’s patients.

Motes said the grant will be a project offered by the South Central Alabama Development Commission Area Agency on Aging.

“The Colley Senior Complex would like to thank the 27 vendors who participated,” she said. “We appreciate their interest in and commitment to our senior adults. We also want to thank all of our volunteers and the many seniors who participated. Hopefully, these screenings provided valuable information to our seniors and altered them to any potential health issues.”