LOA hosted our free “Celebrating Seniors Health Fair” in downtown Roanoke at Elmwood Park on June 7
The Local Office on Aging’s Celebrating Seniors Health Fair was held at Elmwood Park on Friday, June 7, 2024, with free balance and blood pressure screenings, chair yoga, chair massages, a cornhole tournament with prizes, and live music from the ’50s and ’60s.
Delegate Joe McNamara, Senator David Suetterlein, representatives from AARP, Carilion, LewisGale, Senior Medicare Patrol, Radford University’s College of Nursing and Department of Public Health and Healthcare Leadership, and others were on-site offering health screenings and discussing summer wellness for seniors. Dale’s Diner’s food truck sold refreshments, and Freedom First’s Scoop ice cream truck provided free ice cream for attendees.
“This is the first time we’ve planned our annual health fair in downtown Roanoke, and we’re excited to have the opportunity for our seniors to enjoy a stroll in Elmwood Park while getting a chance to learn about the many activities, events, and resources available through LOA and our partners,” said Ron Boyd, President and CEO of the Local Office on Aging. “With so many vendors involved, it’s the perfect place to expand.”
The event was free for seniors. Seniors who pre-registered by May 31 received a free two-person emergency kit backpack, filled with first aid supplies and non-perishable food.
FREE ACTIVITIES:
- Balance screenings by physical therapists
- Blood pressure checks
- Chair massages
- Chair Yoga: 15-minute gentle yoga practice led by Radford University’s Department of Public Health and Healthcare Leadership (sessions at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, and 1:30)
- Cornhole tournament with prizes, sponsored by AARP Virginia
- Live music from the ’50s and ’60s by the band 40 Years After
- Vaccinations available from New Horizons Healthcare
- Farm Market Fresh: LOA’s program for fresh produce for low- to moderate-income seniors
- Food truck by Dale’s Diner with Kenny burgers and more
- Ice cream treats for FREE from Freedom First’s Scoop Ice Cream Truck
VENDORS:
The following vendors and organizations were available with healthy aging resources and information:
- AARP
- Adult Care Center of Roanoke Valley
- Affinity Care of Virginia
- Amedisys Hospice
- Blue Ridge Independent Living Center
- Brain Injury Solutions
- CaptionCall by Sorenson
- Carilion Clinic Home Care and Hospice
- Carilion Clinic Trauma Services
- Carrington Place & Carrington Cottage
- Center of Healing Arts Massage Studio
- CORA Physical Therapy
- Dorsett Wellness
- Harmony Senior Services
- InnovAge PACE
- LewisGale Medical Center Trauma Services and LewisGale Physicians
- Medi Home Health and Hospice
- Mountain City Realty & Auction, LLC
- New Horizons Healthcare
- Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine
- Our Lady of the Valley
- Radford University – College of Nursing
- Radford University – Department of Public Health and Healthcare Leadership
- Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office
- SARA Inc.
- Social Security Administration
- South Roanoke Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- Take the Mess Out of Moving- Monica Nicely, Seniors Real Estate Specialist
- Virginia’s Senior Medicare Patrol
- Visiting Angels