Members and Retirees Praise Seniors’ Days 2017

At an annual event that provides special attention to retired members or those nearing retirement, Seniors’ Days 2017 drew praise from the many attendees. The event targeted the well being of seniors as a whole while also devoting time to individuals, those that participated visited their respective Health and Dental Centers May 9-12 without any appointments being necessary, giving each of them the opportunity to speak personally with doctors, dentists and other health care professionals.

Seniors’ Days 2017 also provided a variety of other valuable services to retired members of our Union who use the Health Centers. They had the opportunity to learn about an array of significant topics, ranging from the importance of exercise to the need for good nutrition. Attendees had the chance to learn about many seniors-related topics such as heart care, arthritis, foot care, health care proxies, osteoporosis and safety tips, among others. Several of these topics were the subjects of various lectures that took part throughout each day. Needless to say, the event also afforded participants with the opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow retirees.

Everyone who attended Seniors’ Days 2017 received a lovely gift bag that contained great goodies like umbrellas. There were also raffles throughout the day at each Health Center with attractive potted plants as prizes.

Various city and community services available to seniors were discussed at the event and some, like CARE NYC, were even present to provide information. has a dedicated team of social workers available throughout New York City to help senior caregivers with the unique challenges they face. 

There were personal presentations on numerous topics such as healthy eating, body mechanics, hypertension (high blood pressure) and signs of a stroke. A healthy lunch was served, too!

Representatives from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) gave valuable talks on safety for seniors. There were reviews concerning the benefits and services available to retired members, including the pension plan. These presentations, made at all four Health Centers, were also valuable to members who are retiring in the next few years.

Dental care was not forgotten at Seniors’ Days 2017. Personnel from the Dental Centers set up tables with valuable advice on the subjects of dentures, fillings, root canal, bridges, oral hygiene and flossing. These displays also handed out free packages of dental products, one of the many different giveaways that were distributed throughout the day.

Another table provided seniors with information on eligibility for benefits. A section was devoted to supplemental insurance. Other facts about retirees’ benefits were readily available, as was information about medical claims under the union’s health plan. General information about direct deposit was also available, as staff members from the Benefit Funds Office were on hand to answer questions.

All who attended were reminded of the great importance of having a primary care physician. Many received various tests for blood pressure, etc. Legal issues specific to seniors were also discussed, as were the services available to retirees from the Members Health Assistance Program (MHAP).

“Seniors’ Days 2017 once again was based on our policy of working directly with retired members to keep them as healthy as possible,” said Dr. Robert Greenspan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Benefit Funds. He added, “Hosting the event in the environment where members who are seniors receive their health care is an invaluable tool in achieving this goal.”

This year’s Seniors’ Days event lived up to its defined goal of providing participants with the opportunity to see doctors and/or other Health Center personnel in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. “Like all our Health Awareness Events the focus of Seniors’ Days is prevention and wellness,” Dr. Greenspan added, “and it is really great to see that so many retired members of the union participated.”

As we said earlier. many of those who attended Seniors’ Days 2013 had plenty of praise for the event. It is further evidence of the value of the various Health Awareness Events sponsored by the Benefit Funds office. Still to come this year at the Health and Dental Centers are Kids Days, which will be held August 23, 24 and 25; Men’s Health Week, which will take place September 25 through September 29, and Women’s Health Week, which is scheduled for October 16 through October 20.