Over 150 older adults joined State Rep. DwightEvans, the West Oak LaneSenior Center and the West Oak Lane NORC to celebrate OlderAmericans’ Month on Friday, May 21^st at their annual “Keep It Movin’” event at the West Oak LaneSenior Center.  This year, the event alsobenefited from the generous support and sponsorship of both NewCourtland and theAlbert Einstein HealthcareNetwork.

Hosted by WPHL-17’s Renai Ellison, theevent focused on specific strategies to maintain health and overall wellness,and it featured a number of health-targeted presentations and activities.  Inaddition, State Representative Evans addressed the packedhouse.

Reacting to the record number ofparticipants at this year’s event, NORC Project Director Sara Popkin said, “It’sreally energizing to see that WestOak Lane’s older adults have such a strong interestin their health and well-being. This event was a success because of thecollaboration of many area organizations andindividuals.”

The day kicked off in a meaningful way,with Andrew Heckert sharing his Tai Chi techniques and encouraging audienceparticipation.  NewCourtland, a local provider of SeniorServices, sponsored the Tai Chi workshop, along with continentalbreakfast.

Next came an engaging presentation byElizabeth Hawkins, RN, from Women of Faith andHope, who spoke to the audience about breast self-exams and how to be morecomfortable with one’s body.

Dr. William Shapiro, Program Director ofOutpatient Services in the Department of Psychiatry at Albert EinsteinMedical Center, discussed how to identifywhen someone is depressed, and suggested ways to “beat the blues.”  Addressingphysical wellness, social worker Roberta Balsam and nurse Lynn Trimborn, bothfrom the Unitarian Universalist House Outreach Program, spoke to the crowd aboutfalls prevention.

Throughout the day, participants weretreated to energetic dance performances by the West Oak Lane Senior Center LineDancers, Salsa Dancers, and Silver Sneakers.  All participants could also havetheir blood pressures taken and ask nurses their specific medical questions,courtesy of Unitarian Universalist House Outreach Program and the Visiting NurseAssociation of Greater Philadelphia.  There were also resource tables, rafflesand other giveaways, and a “Celebrate Your Age” photo board.  A free, nutritiouslunch was provided to all who attended.

During lunch, Chataun Porch, GeneralManager of Cheltenham Mall, shared information on their free “Hearts and Soles”Mall Walkers Program. The audience also learned about heart health from AngelaStewart, a nurse practitioner in Albert Einstein’s Department of Cardiology. The event concluded with a presentation by Einstein’s Dana Howard, an outpatientdietitian who discussed how one’s nutritional needs change withage.

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