Darnall's Retiree Health Fair never grows old for area retirees

By Ms. Patricia Deal (Army Medicine)November 3, 2011

2011 Retiree Health Fair blood sugar test
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2011 Retiree Health Fair Dental screening
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2011 Retiree Health Fair physical therapy class
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Lt. Casie Saxion, from CRDAMC Physical Therapy Services, teaches attendees some exercises that will help them manage low back pain during a class offered at the CRDAMC annual Military Retiree Health Fair at Thomas Moore Clinic, Oct. 29. (U.S. A... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas--More than 800 retirees from the greater Fort Hood area attended Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center's annual Military Retiree Health Fair at Thomas Moore Health Clinic, Oct. 29.

Representatives from 55 CRDAMC clinics and departments were on hand to discuss health and wellness with retirees, covering topics such as tobacco cessation, nutrition, medications, women's health, asthma, physical therapy, dental care and TRICARE.

Almost every retiree who attended the fair received their seasonal flu vaccine, and many others received Tetanus and Zostavax shots. Attendees were also able to get various screenings such as glucose levels, blood pressure, oral cancer, hearing, and body fat. The Physical Therapy Dept. offered classes on the prevention and management of shoulder and lower back pain.

"This is a great event. I really am grateful for all the good information and services offered, especially the shots," said Patricia Mangum. She and her husband Cecil, retired Air Force, traveled all the way from Fort Worth to attend the fair.

Another Air Force retiree also thinks the fair is a great idea and drove more than 150 miles to attend. "I come every year. There's just so much good information. I can get all my health stuff done in one swoop. Can't beat that for service," said Ovidio Cardenas.

Cathy Boggs, family member of an Army retiree, said she comes every year for the screenings and to make sure she's up-to-date on the latest medical trends. "I had not heard about the co-pay changes for TRICARE, so I'm glad I came to find out about that," she said.

This year's fair was a great success, according to Donna Vajgrt, director of the CRDAMC Wellness Center, who coordinated the event. "We're still counting surveys and comment cards but so far, we've received positive feedback indicating that this fair was better than past ones," she said. "We offered some new things this year such as putting booths at Robertson Blood Center with transportation available between the clinics and offering proper disposable of old medications."

Next year's fair will be better yet, Vajgrt said as she's looking at adding some fun and outside attractions.

--30--

Related Links:

Follow CRDAMC on Twitter!

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center

Follow CRDAMC on Facebook!