St. Andrew Presbyterian Church to host
Free Health Fair
By LOIS KINDLE
If you’ve avoided getting your annual health screenings for lack of financial resources, insurance coverage or any reason, a local church is providing many of them for you at no cost.
St. Andrew Presbyterian will host its annual Health Fair from 9 to 11:30 a.m. April 19 at the church, 1239 Del Webb Blvd. W. More than 20 healthcare and senior care organizations will be on hand to conduct the free screenings, provide information and offer counseling.
BayCare Medical personnel will provide free cholesterol screenings from 9 to 11:30 a.m. April 19 at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Health Fair, 1239 Del Webb Blvd. W. More than 20 healthcare and senior care organizations will be on hand.
LOIS KINDLE FILE PHOTO
Stations will be set up throughout the church, said Carol Liedberg, RN, and St. Andrew’s healthcare coordinator.
“We’re trying to promote healthy living for area residents and offer them free screenings to identify any potential problems that might need follow-up,” she said. “We also want people to know what’s available in the community.”
The following screenings or services will be offered:
• Blood-pressure checks – Sun City Emergency Squad
• Vision tests – The Eye Associates
• Blood sugar testing – Baycare Health
• Doppler leg checks – The Vein Institute
• Memory screening – Alzheimer’s Association Memory Mobile
• Cholesterol screening – Baycare Health
• BioSway balance checks – Sun Towers
• Hearing screening – Hearing Loss Association of America and the Hearing Center of Southwest Florida
• Dental questions – representatives of Blake Thompson, DDS and Joseph F. Diaz, DDS
• Foot issues – Sean Shanahan, DPM
• Medication consult – Winn Dixie
• Food safety – Carol Strum, former dietician for South Bay Hospital
• Elder law – attorney Amanda M. Wolf
• Pneumonia shots – Winn Dixie
• Skin cancer screening – Riverchase Dermatology
Brookdale Home Health, Aston Gardens Assisted Living, Sun Terrace Rehabilitation, LifePath Hospice and Inspired Living at Sun City Center will also be on site to offer information on their residential communities and services.
Information on senior fitness and SimonMed will also be provided, and representatives from the following senior-services organizations will also be on hand: Comfort Keepers, Assisting Hands, Health South Rehabilitation of Sarasota, Molina Health Care and Seniors Helping Seniors and Seniors vs. Crime.
Additionally, Community Resource Deputy Jeff Merry, of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, will collect any outdated, unused or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements, syringes, liquids and old pet medications — no questions asked. Everything will be securely sealed into boxes, stored temporarily at the HCSO Dist. 2 office, and then sent to be destroyed in a 3,000-degree incinerator.
The annual St. Andrew Presbyterian Health Fair takes about a year to coordinate, Liedberg said. A health cabinet of 10 work together to plan and help bring it together.
Normally, the church has hosted the event in the fall, but it was moved to spring due to too many competing events, Liedberg said.
“This is a great event, she added. “Usually several hundred residents turn out. We hope everyone who needs screenings will take advantage of the free services being donated by these wonderful organizations.”
Additional healthcare providers who would like to participate or residents needing more information on the Health Fair or the church can call 813-634-1252.
