Orland Township and Supervisor Paul O’Grady hosted a Senior Health Fair aimed to provide free health services and information to senior citizens. The Orland Park Lions Club brought a retinal and hearing screening unit.
By Kelly White
Orland Township cares about the health and welfare of its residents.
The township and Supervisor Paul O’Grady hosted a Senior Health Fair aimed to provide free health services and information to senior citizens. The event took place on May 21 at Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave.
“Our annual Senior Health Fair at Orland Township is a highly anticipated event that plays a crucial role in promoting the well-being of our community’s older residents,” Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady, said. “It provides a valuable opportunity for them to connect with a wide range of local healthcare providers and wellness organizations. By offering easy access to important resources and information, we aim to empower our residents to make informed decisions about their health and lead fulfilling, healthy lives.”
The Senior Health Fair was an excellent opportunity for seniors to receive free health services such as basic cholesterol testing, total lipid profile testing, blood pressure screenings, and hearing screenings.
In addition to the health services, the fair also provided senior-related information, educational material, raffle prizes and giveaways.
The wide range of vendors, included Aetna, Amada Senior Care Orland Park, Baird & Warner/Novas Home Mortgage & The Law Offices Of Charles Sirgusa, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Edward Jones, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, Heartis Senior Living Village, Hopemark Health, Illumident, Inc., Jonna Phelps Consulting, JourneyCare, Life Healthcare, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Marian Village, Midwest Express Clinic, Oasis, Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Illinois Attorney General, Orland Park Bank & Trust, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park Health & Fitness Center, Orland Park Police Department, RTA – Regional Transportation Authority – Illinois, Senior Advisory Council, Senator Bill Cunningham, Rep Mary Gill, Sunrise Senior Living, TOPS Club Inc., and United Healthcare.
“This event truly embodied our commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for our senior community,” O’Grady said.
The Senior Health Fair was sponsored by Walmart, 9265 W. 159th St., Orland Hills. Walmart provided select immunizations for seniors, including COVID, RSV and Shingles.
Lewis University nursing students were there, as well, learning alongside Orland Township nurses taking blood pressure, weights, and glucose tests.
The township has been hosting the Senior Health Fair for more than 15 years.
“We’re happy that Orland Township is able to offer our Senior Health Fair post-pandemic without any restrictions again,” Alexandria Shipyor, Public Relations Coordinator for Orland Townships, said. “It’s a lot safer for our most vulnerable crowd to be out and about today in comparison to the risks we all faced just a few years ago.”
This event was organized by Orland Township Health Services Coordinator, Diane Goerg. Planning usually starts three to four months beforehand, and vendor spaces are limited and heavily sought after.
Goerg takes pride in being able to offer these opportunities to our seniors, and is always looking for new ways to provide them with new and exciting activities like the Senior Health Fair.
“Orland Township seniors benefited from attending our Senior Health Fair because it allowed them the opportunity to meet with different service providers all in one day,” Shipyor said. “They could learn about things they might have been considering changing, such as healthy eating, lifestyle adjustments, and exercise. They also had the opportunity to receive free health screenings that they may not usually have access to. It was a great way for them to take care of their health, all in one afternoon.”
Orland Township and Supervisor Paul O’Grady hosted a Senior Health Fair aimed to provide free health services and information to senior citizens. The event took place on May 21 at Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave.