Health fair supports retirees, Families

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterOctober 17, 2013

Health fair supports retirees, Families
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. (October 17, 2013) -- As cooler weather blankets the South, people become more aware of health concerns, and Lyster Army Health Clinic is providing a way for retirees to learn about ways to keep themselves healthy.

Lyster will host the 39th annual Retiree Health Fair Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility to educate retirees on numerous health topics in honor of Retiree Appreciation Day, said Chris Moore, retirement services officer for Fort Rucker.

"This is a good opportunity for us to give (retirees) a one-stop-shop to gather information and updates on health," he said. "(The fair) is a good chance for people to get out and interact with people, as well as give them a chance to do things like get their blood pressure checked, and have other tests and evaluations done -- it's pretty close to a miniature exam."

Lyster and other agencies will have booths set up throughout the fair that people can visit to gather information on different organizations and learn about different types of care.

Lyster will have booths set up to educate people on its various programs, such as physical therapy, preventative medicine, primary care, behavioral health, nutrition care, managed care, the pharmacy and the dental clinic.

"The Retiree Health Fair is a great event for retirees and their Family members because it gives them a chance to see everything Lyster offers in one room," said Jeffrey Atkins, licensed practical nurse for Lyster and organizer of event. "It also gives them the opportunity to meet outside providers we may refer them to for specialty care."

Other agencies that will be on hand include: the Wiregrass Veteran Affairs Clinic, Medical Center Enterprise, Extendicare, Digestive Health Specialists, Noland Hospital, Flowers Hospital, Center Drug and Home Health, Eye Center South, ReBath, Military Officers Association of America, Hearing Associates of Dothan, Gentiva Hospice, Southeast Alabama Rural Health Associates, Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Gulf Coast Dermatology, Dale Medical Center, Bay County Vet Center, Dr. Chancey Dentist, The Terrace at Grove Park, Mentoring and Behavioral Services, and Hollowell Chiropractic.

Pending availability, it is planned for flu vaccinations to be available for the retiree community at the fair along with the host of other assessments that people can partake.

Last year's fair was the biggest the installation has seen, Moore said, and this year's fair hopes to be just as successful with a quarterly retirement ceremony after the fair at 2 p.m. to honor retirees, followed by a retiree dinner at The Landing at 5:30 p.m.

During the dinner, retired Lt. Gen. Jack Klimp, National Association for Uniformed Services president, will speak to inform guests on changes, if any, that will be made throughout NAUS due to recent fiscal uncertainty, said Moore. To register for the dinner, call 255-9124.

"(The fair) is something that we owe to the generations that have come and gone before us," said Moore. "We have a tendency to get focused on what we do on a day-to-day basis, but I think if we back up and look at a broader scale, it gives us an opportunity to recognize some of those that have fought and died for the freedoms that we have.

"This is just a small opportunity for us to be able to give back to that community (that came before us)," he added.

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