FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2013
MEDIA CONTACTS: Collin Nash, Ryan Mulholland, & Sam Marksheid | (516) 869-7794
Hundreds of Seniors Attend North Hempstead Project Independence Health Fair
Port Washington, NY – Supervisor Jon Kaiman, the Town Board, and North Hempstead’s Department of Services for the Aging recently hosted a Senior Health Fair designed to spread awareness of the Town's model "Aging in Place" program, Project Independence. The fair focused on wellness, providing attendees with presentations and exhibits from area health care providers and information such as how to better manage irregular blood pressure, cardiac conditions, diabetes, and other ailments.
Seniors from all across the town braved torrential rains to attend the June 7th event where they feasted on a delicious lunch and digested a wide array of health and senior related information supplied by more than a dozen health care vendors.
Vendors included pharmaceutical and post-acute care representatives from North Shore LIJ, Education and Assistance Corporation (provider of computer classes), the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation, Family and Children’s Association, United Life Line, Delux Taxi (provider of medical transportation), Port Washington Library, Port Washington Fire Department, North Hempstead’s 311 Call Center and Tax Department, Harvest Houses, Sands Point Center for Rehabilitation, and the National Urban League.
“We have an obligation and an opportunity to give back to our community,” Supervisor Kaiman said, addressing the 200-plus audience. “With that in mind, we partnered with the private sector and collaborated with all levels of government and key health care providers in the area to help residents live more healthy independent lives throughout their senior years.”
Nassau County Legislator Judi Bosworth addressed the crowd and said, “Navigating the vast network of healthcare services available to seniors can be difficult. Project Independence helps provide a clear pathway to great information and services for our senior population.”
Sis Jeanne Brendel of Harvest Houses, a Syosset-based, non-profit, non-sectarian organization with residences for the elderly said Project Independence should be duplicated everywhere. “It should be in every community,” said Brendel, 84. “What a service, what a model.”
Town Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman gives tax information to a senior.
Representatives from Delux Taxi, medical transportation provider for the Port Washington area, explain the program to an interested senior.
Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman speaks about the benefits of Project Independence. Nassau County Legislator Wayne Wink is in the background.