Seniors get the scoop on area health services

BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

DAVE BENJAMIN Area residents were able to pick up information about a variety of medical providers and social services agencies during a recent health fair in Jackson. DAVE BENJAMIN Area residents were able to pick up information about a variety of medical providers and social services agencies during a recent health fair in Jackson. JACKSON – Area senior citizens recently had a chance to attend a free health fair that gave various health-care providers and organizations a chance to show residents what services they offer.

The nonprofit organization Jackson Gives Back sponsored the event on April 30 at the White Butterfly gift shop, North County Line Road. White Butterfly co-owner Michael Kafton operates Jackson Gives Back.

Representative from CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, and Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood, were on hand for the health fair, as were representatives from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the Brick Township office of Social Security.

Carl Robinson of the Social Security office said, “We are very interested in [getting the word out about] our electronic services where people can get answers and applications on their own through the Internet.”

Robinson distributed a variety of pamphlets covering topics such as disability benefits, Medicare benefits, retirement benefits and survivor benefits.

Alison DeWaters, of Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, Howell, said she and her colleagues offered seniors information about the services offered by the practice. Joining DeWaters were Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Jason Langley and Dr. Jessica Addio.

DeWaters said the practice offers diabetic foot care; treatment for sports injuries, sprains and fractures; reconstructive surgery; orthotics; shockwave therapy; and treatment of foot deformities.

Family practitioner Dr. Scott Druckman, of Jackson Family Medicine, County Line Road, said he was at the event to promote heath awareness, meet people and introduce his new practice to them.

“We’re just letting the public know about our office,” said Dr. Jacqueline Walpsak. “We have three physical therapists, three chiropractors and soon to be three MDs. It’s a good place to go for people who have pain or anything that relates to the skeletal system.”

Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine is an Integrative Wellness Institute on County Line Road, she said, and Dr. Robert Lambrou is one of the owners.

Meanwhile, inside a large Horizon New Jersey Health mobile center, health educator Vinnie Smith said he was on hand to help senior citizens.

Smith gave a demonstration of the Derma-scan, a machine that does a skin screening and lets the patient know if there is any DNA damage to the skin.

“Then we can tell them what preventions they can use,” said Smith. “We also advise them to go to a dermatologist once a year and to be careful if there are any moles that they have.”

Representatives of Horizon New Jersey Health were also on hand to take visitors’ blood pressure and to distribute literature regarding skin examinations and how to protect the skin from harmful sun rays by dressing properly and wearing a wide-brim hat.

Representing the Monmouth Ocean Medical Service for Women, with offices in Brick Township, Neptune and Howell, were Drs. James R. Morales, David Morgan and Alfred Parchment, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Seniors can see the doctors for various issues.

Shari Beirne was on hand to represent the St. Barnabas Behavioral Health Center, Toms River.

“We help people with all types of behavioral health issues, from anxiety to depression or more serious psychiatric issues,” Beirne said.

Raquel Phillips, marketing director for Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood, said free glucose screenings, blood pressure screenings and pulse oxygen screenings were being offered for the seniors. Literature about upcoming seminars was also available.

On hand to speak with seniors about Lyme disease was Betty Markonas, representing the John Drulle, M.D., Memorial Lyme Fund, Jackson. The fund is dedicated to stopping the spread of tickborne diseases.

“Lyme disease can affect anybody, but unfortunately seniors can be misdiagnosed as having arthritis, or sometimes with neurological symptoms, they can be misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease,” Markonas said.

Lisa Bergamotto, representing Mary Kay Cosmetics, was also on hand. She said everyone needs to feel good about themselves.

“Health isn’t all physical,” she said. “It’s mental, too, and you need self-esteem, even when you’re older.”