Monday, May 20, 2013

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5/3/2012 - South Side Leader
     

By Maria Lindsay

Sigrid Byan uses one of the machines at the opening of the Springfield Lake Adult Exercise Park this past fall.

Photo: Lew Stamp

SPRINGFIELD — Wellness will be the focus of a health fair in Springfield, titled Spring Into Wellness, May 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Springfield Township Boyd Esler Senior and Community Center, 2459 Canfield Road.

The event will kick off month-long activities offering information on healthy living, according to Senior Center Director Bobby Dinkins.

The health fair will offer health screenings, giveaways, raffles, healthy lifestyle information and refreshments, including free bean soup and cornbread, according to event officials.

Dinkins said the event is aimed at older adults and seniors and offers screenings such as blood pressure checks, balance screenings and glucose tests.

Giveaways will be offered by the participating companies, which include Crossroads Hospice, Homewatch Caregivers, Medical Services Co. and Senior Select Home Health Care Services.

The Senior Center will give away pedometers, according to Dinkins.

Other vendors scheduled to participate in the event include Matrix Rehabilitation Solutions, Summit Villa Care Center, WellCare Health Plans Inc., Humana, the Springfield Fire Department, Summit County Public Health and others.

“This second event is an opportunity to showcase local companies all in one spot, help older adults and seniors improve their daily life and also serves as a resource for information on making healthy choices,” said Dinkins.

The month-long focus on health continues beyond the health fair with a luncheon series that expands on information presented at the event, Dinkins added.

The “Healthy Lifestyle” luncheon series will be presented May 17, 24 and 31.

Each week during the two-hour sessions, lunch will be served and a guest speaker will talk about health-related topics. The talk will be followed by an activity at the new Springfield Lake Adult Exercise Park, located next to the senior center.

The luncheon series is free and open to the first 25 people who sign up each week.

According to Dinkins, the scheduled weekly topics include:

• May 17: “Heart Smart Eating,” about smart nutrition plans that feed a healthy heart;

• May 24, “Blood Pressure Translation,” exploring what blood pressure readings really mean; and

• May 31, “The Importance of Getting a Good Night’s Sleep.”

Dinkins said he is hoping to expand the luncheon speaker series to include monthly presentations throughout the remaining year, and is looking for organizations interested in participating.

“We have been a passive center offering card games and board activities, but we are trying to expand on that and add some active offerings,” he said.

Dinkins said he also is looking for someone who is certified and can lead an exercise group using the new fitness equipment at the outdoor adult park.

The exercise park, located next to the center, is for older adults and features low-impact exercise equipment. It was opened in November 2011 thanks to financial assistance from a Summit County Community Development Block Grant fund. The outdoor exercise equipment is designed to help increase flexibility and improve balance in older adults and includes eight pieces: a cross-trainer, cycle trainer, leg-lift station, sit-up bench, free runner, body flexor, flex wheel and upper-body trainer.

For more information, to sign up for one of the luncheon speaker series events or to become a presenter at a future event, call the center at 330-733-2556.