Long Island, NY - October 23, 2017 - Senator John E. Brooks is sponsoring two free ‘Golden Gatherings’ - health and resource fairs - for Nassau and Suffolk seniors this month. “Golden–Aged” Long Islanders were invited Thursday, October 19, 2017, to the Freeport Recreation Center in Freeport for a 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. event. Hundreds of seniors took advantage of 80-plus free services and resources including a senior ID program; flu vaccinations; screenings and assessments, including hearing and vision screening; height, weight and BMI blood pressure checks; blood sugar testing (HbA1c); cholesterol testing; sleep apnea assessment; oral health screenings; home safety assessments; fall-risk assessment; dementia screenings; caregiver-burden assessment; podiatry screenings; health risk assessments; and skin cancer screenings. The senior citizens also participated in nutrition education and fall-prevention, stretching and balancing exercises.
The Freeport High School Chamber Orchestra kicked off the first hour with a delightful instrumental performance. The Freeport High School Select Chorale then led the attendees in The Pledge of Allegiance, followed by The National Anthem.
Light refreshments with coffee were served at the Freeport Recreation Center, courtesy of Dover Caterers and ClearCaptions, a telephone captioning provider.
Senator Brooks said, “Maintaining your health is important and making sure that you have access to quality care is a top priority for me in Albany. I am encouraged by the high number of senior citizens who stopped by to take advantage of all of the wonderful resources our event partners offered free of charge to improve overall health and well-being. Working together, our community can realize a better quality of life.”
Senator Brooks is the lead sponsor of legislation (S4716) that requires insurance coverage for the screening of colorectal cancer. The Senator also sponsored legislation (S1108A) that ensures that patients with dense breast tissue receive coverage for breast ultrasounds.
A second 2017 Golden Gathering event will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 at Helen Butler Hall at Dominican Village, 565 Albany Avenue, Amityville from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dominican Village, Affinity Health Plan and ClearCaptions will provide coffee service and snacks at the event in Amityville.
Seniors with questions regarding the Golden Gathering may contact Senator Brooks’ office at (516) 882-0630.