An annual event hosted by Schneck Medical Center always has been focused on health.
But last year, the Community Health Fair was changed to Live Well Expo since it featured sections for screening, nutrition, fitness and community resources.
The 33rd annual event, featuring 65 booths, is set for 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday in Seymour High School’s Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
People of all ages are invited. Spanish interpreters will be available.
“We’ve really done a lot of work on making it a really good holistic health fair again and included a lot of resources for people that may not necessarily be health related,” said Julie Idlewine, a marketing specialist with the Seymour hospital.
Having booths for Jackson County United Way, Jackson County Health Department, Community Health Center of Jackson County, Seymour Farmers Market, Purdue Extension Jackson County, Jackson County 4-H, Crossroads Community Trails and local farms and farmers allows people to learn about options available in the community.
“It’s more of a wellness fair,” Idlewine said. “We wanted last year to really embrace the person’s total health, and health is more than getting medical services. Health is spiritual and physical, and so we wanted to focus on healthy eating, exercise, getting your screenings that you need, but also for people to know resources available in the community so that they get their needs met.”
Last year not only featured a name change for the fair, but it also was conducted in the fall for the first time. In years past, it had been in the spring.
“We still had a wonderful turnout, but we found that in the fall, there were so many events happening in Jackson County that we wanted to be sure to not interfere with anything,” Idlewine said of moving it back to the spring this year.
“We listened to the community, and they said that they wanted it in the spring, our vendors liked it in the spring,” she said. “This year, there will be more booths, and we’ll have a wonderful turnout in each of the sections.”
As always, the event will offer several free screenings, including bone density, blood pressure, body fat analysis, joint health assessment, digital foot scan, visual acuity, fitness and more. There also will be ColoCARE take-home kits, eyeglass cleaning, simple massages and home safety and healthy eating tips.
Blood testing will go from 7 to 11 a.m., and you must fast (water only) 10 hours prior to all blood tests. Glucose and total cholesterol tests are free, while a comprehensive blood profile costs $35. Idlewine said that is a more advanced report for people to share with their doctor.
New to the health fair is a TSH thyroid test, which costs $26.
“I think that the symptoms aren’t obvious, so people want to get their thyroid checked to make sure the symptoms they are having aren’t caused by an abnormal thyroid,” Idlewine said. “Our community really likes having the opportunity to have that test.”
Idlewine said the new name of the event also incorporates what Schneck is trying to do as an organization, which is moving more toward population health. That involves “keeping healthy people healthy longer and keeping those that are sick from getting sicker,” she said.
“We’re trying to look at the person’s health from a big picture and meeting those needs so that they will be able to stay healthy and stay active as long as possible,” she said.
Idlewine said she encourages people from the community to check out the event.
“We’re looking forward to another successful year with a great turnout,” she said. “We’re happy to provide a much-needed event in the community to let people take charge of their health and really lead a better and healthier lifestyle.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: Live Well Expo, Schneck Medical Center’s 33rd annual community health fair
When: 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Seymour High School’s Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium on Community Drive in Seymour
Who: All ages; Spanish interpreters will be available
Cost: Admission is free
Features: 65 booths sectioned off by screening, nutrition, fitness and community resources; blood testing will go from 7 to 11 a.m.; glucose and total cholesterol tests are free, while a comprehensive blood profile costs $35, and a TSH thyroid test is $26 (must be fasting — water only — 10 hours prior to all blood tests)
Information: schneckmed.org
[sc:pullout-text-end]