Exhibits, workshops, health screenings, and fun activities are on the agenda for the 10th annual national award-winning Senior Health and Resource Fair on Thursday, May 18th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Community Center located at 6300 Fountain Square Drive in Citrus Heights.

Hosted by the SOAR Neighborhood Association, the free event will feature 60+ exhibitors that will provide information pertaining to seniors regarding housing, health care, legal services, support groups, caregiving, and more.

Workshops will start at 9:30 a.m. with Fall Prevention. Specialist Kelly Ward will also conduct free balance assessments after the workshop.  According to healthcare professionals, “Falls are the number one cause of injury and injury-related deaths in people over the age of 65.”  Citrus Heights Police Lt. Jason Russo will lead the other 9:30 workshop, “Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of Crime”.  At 10:30 a.m., “Genealogy – Getting Started” will be offered by Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogy Society, audiologist Steve Milo will address “Hearing Loss & Aging”; and yoga instructor, Andrea McGowan, will teach how to use a chair for exercises that will improve strength and flexibility, increase mental clarity, and manage pain.  Complimentary snacks will be served at the two 11:30 a.m. workshops: “Money Smart for Older Adults”, led by Dale Covey, El Dorado Savings Bank manager, and “Alzheimer’s – 10 Early Warning Signs” conducted by the Sacramento chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Thomas Spencer, a Citrus Heights activity guru, will lead a leisurely “walk and roll” stroll from the Community Center to Stock Ranch Nature Preserve – about 1.35 miles round trip at 9:30 a.m.  Participants will receive a “goodie bag” from the Sunrise Recreation and Park District.

Other activities will include screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar by Sacramento County public health nurses. A Sacramento County registered dietitian will be available for nutritional counseling and a pharmacist from Walgreen’s will offer one-on-one consultations about prescription medications.

“We are living longer and we want to age healthy,” said Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa, president of SOAR, the neighborhood group that coordinates the Health Fair.  “There are a tremendous number of resources for seniors in our community and SOAR strives to feature as many as we can in one spot.”

In addition to SOAR, Health Fair sponsors include the City of Citrus Heights, Republic Services, SMUD, and the Arcade Creek Neighborhood Association. For more information, please contact Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa at (916 599-3647) or at [email protected].