Seniors, take advantage of the free health screenings, information sessions and other benefits being offered at Lone Star College-Kingwood's Senior Health Fair on Wednesday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"The purpose of our Senior Health Fair is to acquaint our area seniors with the wonderful resources available to them at Lone Star College-Kingwood.  All of our healthcare programs - nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy assisting and dental hygiene have scheduled special events to provide the most up to date health and wellness information to our visiting seniors," said Diane Blanco, director of college relations at LSC-Kingwood.

Many of the screenings being offered are normally available only at medical facilities for a fee.  Each of the healthcare programs at the college will be providing these screenings along with their expertise at no cost to the seniors.

Nursing will offer blood glucose and blood pressure measurements, bone density tests, colorectal cancer screening kits, diabetes assessments, evaluate skin cancer risk, speak about the importance of immunizations and healthy eating, and offer information on various health issues relating to seniors.   A podiatrist will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for foot screenings.

A relaxing 8-station Paraffin bath will be offered by the Occupational Therapy Assisting Program, as well as an easy to follow "Sit-and-Be-Fit" program.  Displays on assistive devices for home safety and joint protection will be available.  Items such as long handled reachers, door knob grips and safety items for the bathroom will be shown.

LSC-Kingwood's Dental Hygiene Program offers many dental services to the community as part of their curriculum.  Dental cleanings and complete examinations for adults, 14 and up are $25.00, cleanings and examinations for children, 5 to 13 are $15.00.  Other services available include x-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, periodontal scaling and root debridement.  To schedule an appointment, call 281-312-1721.  In addition the Dental Hygiene Program will provide free oral cancer screenings and information on good oral hygiene.

The Respiratory Care Program will give pulmonary function and oxygen saturation screenings.  Pulmonary function screenings, or lung function tests, measure how well the lungs take in and release air and how well the lungs move oxygen into the blood.  Valuable information on many subjects related to the respiratory system will be discussed, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Disease. 

Blanco adds that in addition to the college's healthcare programs, many area businesses and non-profits will be on-hand to share helpful information.

Booths will be set up to give seniors the information they need to make educated decisions regarding their health and quality of life.  Just a sampling of the information that will be available includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), nutrition, hospice care, immunizations, independent/assisted living, personal safety, women's health and senior programs.

"A representative from Social Security will be here to answer questions and share information about benefits," said Blanco.  Additionally, representatives from the Better Business Bureau Education Foundation, Danell's Gifts & Floral, Harris County Precinct 4 Community Centers & Senior Adult Program, Home Instead Senior Care, Mohan Jacob, M.D., P.A., Kingwood Funeral Home, Kingwood Medical Center, Kingwood Senior Village, Lake Houston Family YMCA, Right At Home, Rosewood Funeral Home, Sarah Adult Day Care, and the Social Security Administration have all made commitments to attend.

LSC-Kingwood would also like to invite seniors to discover the many other services and facilities available to them on campus. 

The campus library is a fully stocked library with a full selection of best sellers, DVD's, and reference materials and is always open to the public.  Library hours are 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday's, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday's, closed on Sunday's.

The LSC-Kingwood Art Gallery is currently showcasing the photographic exhibit, "Between the Lines: Photographs from the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial."  This moving exhibit captures the emotions of visitors to the Washington D.C. Vietnam Memorial.  Art Gallery hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Admission is free.

Although the day is designed for seniors, anyone who has an interest in attending LSC-Kingwood will find a wealth of information available on careers in the healthcare field. 

What the public may not realize, said Blanco is that LSC-Kingwood's healthcare programs play a vital role in the community.  "Today's Lone Star College-Kingwood healthcare student may well be the person who is caring for them or their loved ones in the near future.  Community colleges now train two-thirds of the healthcare personnel in the U.S. today."

For more information on the Senior Health Fair, call Diane Blanco at 281-312-1679 or visit our website at Kingwood.LoneStar.edu/SeniorHealthFair.