By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The Lawrence Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Fair — billed as the senior citizens’ version of the township’s annual Community Day — is set for Tuesday at the Lawrence Senior Center on Darrah Lane.
The event, which highlights the services and programs available to Lawrence seniors, runs from 3 to 7 p.m., said Steven Groeger, the township’s superintendent of recreation.
In the past, the health fair was held during the daytime, Mr. Groeger said. But acknowledging that some seniors are still employed, it was decided to hold the event later in the day to encourage them to attend after work, he said.
“We try to bring in organizations, speakers and vendors that are health-related and wellness-related,” Mr. Groeger said. “The day includes a number of different health options — screenings and information about different topics that are directly related to seniors.”
The health and safety fair, which was first held several years ago, grew out of the monthly health screenings and lectures offered at the Lawrence Senior Center, he said. There are many organizations that could help the seniors, who have health concerns, he added.
Nearly 30 vendors will be on hand to offer information about the services they provide, said township Health Officer Carol Chamberlain, adding that “the focus is on services for seniors.”
Seniors can receive free health screenings and information on health and wellness topics, as well as sample nutritional snacks and learn about healthy eating habits, Ms. Chamberlain said.
A representative of the Princeton Healthcare Center will offer a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) demonstration. St. Francis Medical Center plans to offer information on breast cancer and sleep issues.
Information also will be available on the Meals on Wheels program and the Mercer County Nutrition Project. A dietician from the St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center also will be on hand.
Blood pressure screenings are available from Capital Health Systems at Mercer Community Health. Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton will offer anemia screenings and colon cancer screening kits.
Pneumonia shots and hearing screenings will be conducted by the township Health Department’s public health nurses and students from The College of New Jersey. TCNJ students also will offer height, weight and body mass index information.
The seniors also can learn about programs available at the Lawrence Senior Center, including ballroom and hula dancing lessons and exercise and walking programs, Mr. Groeger said.
“I don’t know how many ‘new’ seniors will come out to this (health fair),” Mr. Groeger said. “I hope maybe we can pull in a few new seniors. We have always had a pretty nice turnout.”
The Lawrence Senior Citizen Health and Wellness Fair is co-sponsored by the Lawrence Township Office on Aging, the Lawrence Township Municipal Alcohol and Drug Alliance, and the township’s recreation and health departments.
For more information, please call the township Recreation Department at 844-7067 or the township Office on Aging at 844-7048.

