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Older Americans Fair to be held at Mountain Crest Retirement Home
HOT SPRINGS - The United States is nearing the start of a tremendous shift in population. Beginning soon, 78 million baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) will start retirement, kicking off an expansion in the number of elderly people that will continue for decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one out of every nine baby boomers will live to be over 90 and the most active and engaged older adults in our nation's history.
Bath and Highland will benefit in many ways from an increasing population of older adults, one of our greatest resources. Older adults provide hours of volunteer, community and civic services. They enhance personal lives by sharing and transferring knowledge of cultures, values and life experiences among generations.
An expanding older adult population also spotlights the responsibility to ensure the well being of older citizens. As a community, residents are working diligently to address older adults' health and long-term care challenges.
May is Older Americans' Month, a time to bring attention to the issues that affect older adults. This year's theme is "Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities." There will be an Older Americans' Fair to be at Mountain Crest Retirement Home, community building, behind the Bath High School off U.S. 220 in Hot Springs on Monday, May 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.
Working together, Bath and Highland can improve older adults' overall quality of life by helping them: Make behavioral changes in their lifestyles that can reduce risk of disease, disability and injury and information will be at the fair. A blood pressure screening and diabetic education will be available from the Bath Community Hospital.
Obtain tools needed to make informed decisions about and gain better access to, existing health and long-tern care options in this area. Learn how to use Senior Navigator on the Internet and how to access Medicare information. Free sessions will be available.
Learn about options to avoid placement in nursing homes and remain at home as long as possible. Hear about Valley Program on Aging Services and Meals on Wheels.
Come and see the newest local retirement home in Hot Springs - Mountain Crest. There are 28 apartments now celebrating the first-year.
The Older Americans Fair will be held in Mountain Crest's community building. For more information contact Jeanne Apgar at the Bath Senior Center, (540) 839-5604.
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