Sen. Welch: Bristol Senior Wellness Fair is Helpful for Community

Bristol Press Story: Seniors discover new opportunities at health fair

By LLUVIA MARES
STAFF WRITER

BRISTOL — Seniors stayed cool Friday and learned about new health opportunities available in the communities during the Senior Health & Wellness Fair at the Bristol Senior Center.

The fair hosted by Sen. Jason Welch, R-Bristol, Harwinton and Rep. Whit Betts, R-78, invited state and local organizations to the center to provide health screenings and information about programs available to seniors relating to health, wellness, legal issues, financial services and more.

“It’s a great way to get important information to the community,” said Welch.

Betts said he and Welch wanted to make it easier for seniors by bringing all the organizations to one location.

“It’s nice to see people coming out of their homes to come here and make great use of these programs available to them at the senior center,” Betts said. “It also gives us the opportunity to meet with more people in the community and offer help should they need it.”

More than 200 people stopped by throughout the day to take part in the event, said volunteers.

“It’s an excellent idea to have a fair like this, there is so much free information out there that we have never heard about,” said Helen Lovaczewski, of Bristol. “Everyone here was so helpful they had some great recommendations about exercises and food.”

Alice Fallo said she enjoyed all the fair had to offer including all the free samples, cookies from a local bakery and the raffle prizes.

“The information we got here was not just about health,” she said. “They talked about everything. I got some great information on the different energy providers in town.”

Darlene Coffey, center’s assistant director said the center usually hosts a health fair once a year, so she was thrilled when she got the call from Sen. Welch asking if they could hold a health fair.

“It helps our seniors understand some of the benefits that are out there for them,” she said. “For example, with Medicare sometimes they have questions or they don’t understand where to start, fairs like this can help.”

Mayor Art Ward made a special visit to the center during the health fair to meet with seniors and organizers.

“I think it’s vital that there are senior services like this to find out what is readily available out there and the procedures needed,” he said. “We seniors, have the most need for this kind of exposure. I commend the senator Welch and representative Betts on putting this great event together.”