SHARING INFORMATION — Sandy Kemp, left, executive director of the Brooke County Committee on Aging, and Jess Kelly, community outreach specialist for Trinity Health System, chatted during the Senior Health and Resources Expo held by the organizations Tuesday at the Follansbee Community House. — Warren Scott
<!–
FOLLANSBEE — Area seniors had an opportunity to learn about a variety of issues and services related to their physical and emotional wellbeing during the Senior Health and Resources Expo held Tuesday by Trinity Health System and the Brooke County Committee on Aging.
Visitors to the free event also had an opportunity to get some exercise, with Taylor Provenzano of Soulshine LLC and others leading attendees in morning stretches, yoga that could be done from a chair and the chicken dance.
Booths were staffed by a wide range of businesses and organizations that serve senior citizens in various ways.
Among them was insurance agent Allison Heavilin of Cadiz, who said she contracts with 13 health coverage providers and will travel two hours to serve seniors and others in Ohio and West Virginia.
She shared information about Medicare supplemental plans, reminding visitors the annual enrollment period for such coverage has begun and will end Dec. 7.
Susan Bratt, an advocate for the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center, acknowledged her agency is not one everyone thinks of when considering services for seniors.
Unfortunately, seniors have been victims of rape, she said, while adding it’s not uncommon for memories of sexual abuse from younger days, even childhood, to resurface late in one’s life.
Bratt said the 45-year-old agency offers free counseling to victims throughout the Northern Panhandle and beyond.
An entity that has changed its name, among other things, while remaining in the same location, is the Wellsburg Healthcare Center, represented at the health fair by Samantha Walters, director of public relations.
Walters said the Brooke County long-term care and rehabilitation center on Valley Haven Drive has become part of a network with more than 40 such establishments throughout West Virginia as well as in Wintersville and the Pittsburgh area.
They all are a part of the Communicate family of companies, which includes Stonerise Home Health agencies.
She said in addition to providing a variety of rehabilitative services and long-term residency, the center offers respite care to allow caregivers of seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to take a much-needed short break.
Jess Kelley, community outreach specialist for Trinity Health System, shared information about a broad range of medical services provided through the hospital and its affiliates.
But she noted she was visited by a couple of former patients of its medical rehabilitation program.
Kelly said its staff works with patients to restore the strength and ability of patients of all ages and dealing with a variety of health issues, from stroke recovery, spinal cord and brain injuries, amputations and prosthetic training, Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron diseases.
She said Trinity Health System has participated in past health fairs held by the Brooke County Committee on Aging, which oversees the Brooke County Senior Center, but Eric Fithyan, president of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, suggested they team for the event at the Follansbee Community House.
Sandy Kemp, the committee’s executive director and other staff from the senior center, also shared information about services and programs offered through it.
They include a senior nutrition program, through which hot meals are served at local senior centers and delivered to shut-ins in Brooke and Hancock counties, and an in-home care program in which trained staff assist senior citizens in their homes.
The latter program may be covered by Medicaid, Medicaid waiver, veterans benefits and federally supported respite programs as well as private pay.
Kemp noted the center, located at 948 Main St., offers transportation to medical appointments and a variety of activities, from line dancing to card games.