Shaker Heights Senior Picnic

I am currently working on my capstone at the Shaker Heights Health Department where I am learning so much about public health and how it can affect a community. One of my favorite experiences thus far has been going to the Senior Picnic and having the opportunity to talk and work with the senior citizens of the area.

By attending the Senior Picnic, I had the chance to see how health information and services can be brought to the public and presented in a fun and effective way. The Senior Picnic was held at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building in Shaker Heights and was a great way for senior citizens to get together and interact. A wonderful meal was served, but the highlight of the day had to be the Elvis impersonator. The seniors were up and dancing by the end of the show, enjoying the musical entertainment. It was great to see them having so much fun!

We brought blood pressure cuffs and were able to do twenty blood pressure screenings right on the spot. When Sandi Hurley, the nursing director from the Shaker Heights Health Department that I work with, announced that blood pressure screenings would be available, the senior citizens could not get to us fast enough. They were extremely appreciative of this service that we provided, and it was beneficial because it could be done right away and while they were already at the event. Some do not have the opportunity to regularly have their blood pressure checked, so having this available to the senior citizens was valuable and helpful.

Because it was an extremely hot day outside, the picnic was moved indoors into the community center. We thought that it would be fitting to provide some information about how to stay safe during the heat. Sandi quizzed the audience of senior citizens about what they knew regarding being safe outdoors in the summer. Prizes were given to those who answered the questions correctly. The prizes included hats, summer tote bags, and certificates for free flu shots. The senior citizens seemed to enjoy this fun way of learning about important tips on summer safety. We handed out flyers that included what was discussed as reinforcement. This was also a great way for the seniors to learn more about the health department and the services that it provides, in case they were not aware. The Senior Picnic was a fun event in which the senior citizens were able to socialize as well as learn valuable health information.