Thursday, February 19, 2009

Senior adults will push aging stereotypes aside with participation in health-boosting Wii games, cheerleading, belly dancing and educational activities at the second annual University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks and Seniors health fairs.

All local seniors are invited to join UNC Wilmington School of Nursing (SON) students and faculty for the innovative health events on Thursday, March 5, 1-3 p.m. at the MLK Community Center, 401 S. 8th St., and Thursday, March 26, 10 a.m.-noon at the New Hanover County Department of Aging Senior Center, 2222 Shipyard Blvd. Both of these locations are in Wilmington.

Facilitated by nearly 60 UNCW SON students, each interactive health fair will include the demonstration of assistive technologies for independent living, virtual games and activities for fitness, health promotion information, and the chance to cut loose with senior adult dance groups.

The healthy aging fair will include free health screenings and student-organized research in issues that address the national Healthy People 2010 objectives. Information on topics such as bladder health, nutrition, oral health care, skin health, fall prevention, optimizing sleep, brain health, emotional wellbeing, osteoporosis, and more will be available.

SON gerontology lecturer Melissa Batchelor Aselage said, "More than 60 percent of people receiving hospital care not OB-related are 65 and older. This percentage continues to increase. It is vital that we prepare our students to confidently interact with patients of all ages instead of perceiving that aging equals illness and decline. We want our students to see healthy older adults to prepare for them for the diverse populations they will assist as healthcare professionals."

Community members of all ages and families of senior adults are invited to join this free event. The public can direct questions to Aselage at 910.962.4285 or aselagem@uncw.edu. Media should call the below media contact.

Media are encouraged to promote Seahawks and Seniors prior to the event. Upon request, media can capture interviews and hands-on visual opportunities including student teaching, senior dancing, senior participation in Wii games, health screenings, and more.

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu