Retired Members Applaud Seniors’ Days 2015

This year’s Seniors’ Days drew high praise from the almost 700 retired or near-retirement members who participated. The event was well attended at each of the four Health Centers, showing that members who are seniors and those approaching retirement have grown to really appreciate its benefits.

Seniors’ Days provides specific attention to retired members, both as a whole and as individuals, and it helps members over age 55 who are still working prepare for retirement. Those that participated last week 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.

Seniors’ Days 2015 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. The theme of the event, “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.

There’s more! Everyone who attended Seniors’ Days 2015 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. Healthy food and other refreshments were served to all.

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 2015. 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.

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).

“Once again this year’s Seniors’ Days carefully followed 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 2015 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 12, 13 and 14; Men’s Health Week, which will take place October 5 through October 9, and Women’s Health Week, which is scheduled for November 2 through November 6.

Carmen Nunez visits with Dr. Joseph Nash at the Harlem Health Center.

Israel and Iris Chaparro get “Safety for Seniors” tips from FDNY Firefighter James Jones.

Dental tips were an important part of Seniors' Days. Here, hygienist Heidy Fernandez meets with Charles Lazarus and Ana Cordero.

Retirement Services Director Henry Martel speaking with members during Seniors' Days at the MIdtown Health Center.

Seniors' Days featured yoga instructions, including here, at Midtown, with instructor Loren Russo.

Here are some of the members who participated at Seniors' Days 2015  at the Midtown Health Center.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Stephen Kronenberg with member Frank Szaba, NY Palace Hotel.

Seniors Days 2015 at the Queens Health Center drew these members.