Pilgrim Haven event draws huge turnout

By Clyde Noel, Town Crier Staff Writer

Red Cross volunteer Francis Azariah demonstrates the Automatic External Defibrillator for Byrma Jennings.

Health fairs have proven an effective way to provide valuable health information and offer screening devices to a large number of people. Case in point was such an event last Thursday at Pilgrim Haven Retirement Community that drew a full house.

“We invite health educators and pharmaceutical company representatives to exhibit their products to our residents,” said Terry Morrison, director of admissions and social services. “We believe in healthy living, and we want the companies to educate our people about the resources available to get healthy and stay healthy.”

Far Shahidi, sales representative for Actonel, returns to the fair each year because men and women of all ages need to concern themselves with osteoporosis.

“This silent disease results from years of deficiencies in calcium intake,” Shahidi said. “Prevention of osteoporosis requires knowledge about the disease and a conscious effort to maintain healthy bones. That is why I am here.”

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Regular physical activity can lower your chances of having certain health problems. Nancy Henderson, RN, from Onsite Wellness was offering free blood pressure testing. Nurse Colleen Policy was providing bone density checks.

The line for bone density checking was long, but Henderson said she administered more than 40 blood pressure tests in less than an hour.

Pilgrim Haven resident Milton Grimes said he just had his bone density checked. “It was a 91 and the nurse wants me to come back so she can talk to me,” he said.

Pilgrim Haven Retirement Community is on a seven-acre campus in Los Altos. It has a 63-bed skilled nursing center, open to the general community, and accepts placements for skilled nursing and restorative care.

Maria Flores, certified nursing assistant, works in the health center taking care of residents’ daily needs. She has been there more than five years and came to the health fair.

“You can learn a lot here at the fair,” Flores said. “I came for information and different choices for treatments.”

Several booths offered practical tips on activities for anyone over 60. They included:

1. Cut down on sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time.

2. Do aerobic/recreational activities that include walking, tennis, and dancing or water exercises three to five times a week.

3. Walk with a friend or a dog every day and take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Bran Scott, Pilgrim Haven chaplain, had a booth and asked residents to come in to test their spiritual IQ.

“I’m here to support and represent our spiritual offerings available at Pilgrim Haven,” Scott said. “Spirituality is part of the whole person.”

Tara McGuinness, executive director of Pilgrim Haven, was ecstatic over the turnout at the fair.

“What a great response from the exhibitors. There is a full range of available sources that range from hospice to cardiac therapy,” McGuinness said. “I’m pleased with the great participation from Pilgrim Haven residents.”

Pathways Home Health & Hospice was represented among the long line of exhibitors. Nurse Linda Conti emphasized that Pathways has a long line of services that include home health and continuous care and are available to the community.

Paige Conway, sales representative for Glaxo-Smith-Kline, was passing out samples of Lipitor.

“This is a beautiful community. I come here to get involved with the physicians and try to explain different patients’ needs,” Conway said.