Members Applaud Seniors’ Days 2016

Seniors’ Days 2016 was well attended and well appreciated by the hundreds of retired members and those nearing retirement who participated in the event.

While Seniors’ Days provides specific attention to retired members, both as a whole and as individuals, it has become a great resource in retirement preparation for members over age 55 who are still working. Those that participated the last week in May visited their respective Health Centers without any appointment being necessary, giving each of them the opportunity to speak personally with doctors, dentists and other health care professionals.

As it has in the past, this year’s Seniors’ Days 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. The theme of the event, “Keep Moving, Stay Active,” was reinforced with yoga instructions and other demonstrations. Information was distributed on many health-related topics such as heart care, arthritis, foot care, health care proxies, colon cancer, prostate health, breast cancer, and osteoporosis, among others.

As always, an important part of Seniors’ Days was the distribution of information that participants could take home with them. Needless to say, the event also afforded them with the opportunity to enjoy the company of fellow retirees.

And, yes, everyone who attended Seniors’ Days 2016 received a lovely gift bag that contained great goodies. There were also raffles throughout the day at each Health Center with some very nice prizes. There were presentations on numerous topics such as nutrition, body mechanics, health care proxies, hypertension (high blood pressure) and signs of a stroke.

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. Representatives from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) gave valuable talks on safety for seniors. Healthy food and other refreshments were served to all.

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 from the Members Health Assistance Program (MHAP).

“Seniors’ Days continues to follow the concept we have about working directly with retired members and those nearing retirement 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 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 learn more about health issues specific those over age 55 and the additional opportunity to see doctors and/or other Health Center personnel in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

“The focus of this event is prevention and wellness,” Dr. Greenspan added, “and it is really great to see that so many eligible members of the Union participated.”

As we said earlier, many of those who attended Seniors’ Days 2016 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 Wednesday, Thursday and Friday August 17, 18 and 19; Men’s Health Week, which will take place September 26 through September 30, and Women’s Health Week, which is scheduled for October 24 through October 28.