Residents find out what's new at health fair

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

About 500 people showed up to get information about health care providers and other services at the 11th annual Senior Health Fair at the Carson Valley Inn on Wednesday.

Fifty booths included information and services for vision, hearing, hospice, Alzheimer's support, residential and home care, area hospitals, fitness, finance and investments, and TRIAD.

Douglas County sheriff's deputies and members of the Partnership of Community Resources were at the fair to collect unused and outdated medicine to be shipped to Washoe County where it be destroyed.

New this year at the health fair were laboratory tests including a comprehensive panel and complete blood count, prostate evaluation and thyroid evaluation available through Carson Valley Medical Center.

Lab technician Elizabeth Patton was among the Carson Valley Medical Center staff who were taking EKGs, and checking blood sugar levels and blood pressure. She said they didn't give many H1N1 flu shots that day.

"Most of the seniors already had their H1N1 vaccinations," she said. "They're available at drug stores and at their doctors' offices so they got their flu shots. That's good, they're on top of it."

Patton said people seemed to appreciate being able to do lab tests through the health fair.

"We find so many people are lacking insurance so the lab draws help," she said. "We offer the community wellness lab draws on the third Thursdays of the month at the medical center. It's pretty popular. It stays busy those days."

Lab results are sent to the patients and their doctors. If the patient doesn't have a primary physician, the medical center has doctors to interpret lab results and call patients with concerns.

Community wellness lab draws are available through the Carson Valley Medical Center on the third Thursdays of the month. The next community wellness day is 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18. Information at cvmchospital.org or 782-1536.

Examples of the emergency preparedness backpacks for seniors were on display at the health fair. Among the items in the kit are nonperishable food and snacks, first-aid kit, water and a bottle, flashlight and batteries, and information from the American Red Cross and Douglas County Emergency Services.

About 600 emergency backpacks will be made available to Douglas County seniors at the end of February.

Volunteers are needed to help assemble the kits, 4-7 p.m. Thursday, at the Douglas County Senior Center, 2300 Meadow Lane, Gardnerville.

To sign up for emergency backpacks or to participate in the project, call 783-6455.