SOUTHWICK — For those seeking to improve their well-being and wanting to learn more about area organizations that provide health care services for senior citizens and their caregivers, a health fair, organized by the Western Hampden County Public Health District, is being held Friday at Town Hall.
“It will have a lot of different things for everybody,” said Trish Sedelow, the district’s regional public health nurse, about the fair being held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the auditorium of Town Hall.
“It’s really for anyone, from parents to senior citizens,” Sedelow said.
There are 26 vendors and organizations that will be available to talk about what they can offer, including information about assisted living services, mental health help, understanding Medicare, and nutrition advice.
SHINE will have a representative there to help seniors better understand their Social Security benefits and answer questions about Medicare, Sedelow said.
The Springfield Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs will attend to answer questions about consumer rights, offer advice on how to resolve disputes instead of using the court system. The service is available to all residents of Hampden County, she said.
Highland Valley Elder Services will be available to discuss the programs they offer.
Sedelow said it has some very helpful services for seniors who are looking for ways to stay at home instead of moving into an assisted living facility, and a financial program that offers seniors the chance to have an organization representative pay their bills.
Explaining the program, Sedelow said volunteer financial counselors, like retired accountants and bookkeepers, gain access to a senior’s bank accounts and then schedule payments for water and sewer bills, for example.
“It’s an important service to help seniors with budgeting for their needs,” she said.
Representatives of the area’s assisted living facilities will also have booths at the fair.
Those include Westfield Gardens, Southwick Village, The Atrium at Cardinal Drive, Armbrook Village, and The Arbors Assisted Living Residential Communities.
A representative from Fallon Health will attend to discuss NaviCare, its program for seniors with Medicare Parts A and B, and information about its HMO, and for those on MassHealth Standard, Sedelow said.
Tapestry, a community-based healthcare, education and support service that provides access to care without stigma, according to its website.
Those attending can also get information about the town’s Council On Aging, Police Department, Public Library, Animal Control, and Friends of the Southwick Rail Trail, Sedelow said.
She said there will also be representatives from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Related to the Food Bank, which provides food to the Our Community Food Pantry, Sedelow said a pantry representative will be at the fair to talk about its food program and it will also be accepting donations of non-perishable food items.
“A box will be available to drop off any donations as you enter the auditorium,” Sedelow said.
For those who need fuel assistance during the winter months, Sedelow said a representative from the Valley Opportunity Program to answer questions about how to get enrolled.
The state’s Equipment Distribution Program will also have a representative there. The MassEDP program offers specialized telephones, both wireless and wireline residents with permanent disabilities.
To discuss insurance needs, American Senior Benefits will have a representative at the fair.
Sedelow said several local vendors with be at the fair selling various items, including maple syrup from Charles Adams of Dragonfly Farm in Tolland, an herbal first-aid kit from Roses and Remedies, a massage therapist from Journey Massage & Wellness to talk about the benefits of massage.
“This should be a wonderful event with many resources available,” Sedelow said, adding that many of the organizations that are there will be handing out various gifts and promotional products.
