SOUTH BRUNSWICK — It was all about options at this year’s senior health fair at the Senior Center on Sept. 22.
Sponsored by the Society on Aging of New Jersey (SANJ), there were about 10 participating vendors giving residents information on everything from assisted living to Medicare fraud. Steven Weiss, president of SANJ, stressed the importance of informing seniors about what is available to them.
“They might think, ‘I’m independent today, but I could have a stroke or an accident, and what then?’ ” Weiss said.
Seniors were free to take fliers and giveaways from various vendors, including Bridgeway Senior Healthcare, Jewish Family & Vocational Services, Parker Adult Day Center, CareMinders Home Care, Embracing Hospice Care, and geriatric social worker Helen Hunter, before the scheduled information session. They were made aware of their options for health care as well as living options during and after hospitalization.
Ella Furlong of Bridgeway Senior Healthcare attempted to clarify some misconceptions about hospital stays, rehabilitation and pay sources for care.
“We really advocate education and planning ahead,” she said. “Some think Medicare pays for assisted living or longterm care, and it doesn’t. Some think assisted living is like a nursing home, and it’s absolutely not.”
Tunde Akinrolabu of the Senior Medical Association educated residents over 55 years old about Medicare fraud and abuse. According to Akinrolabu, $70 billion was lost nationwide to Medicare fraud last year alone.
“This is something that many seniors are not aware of,” he said. “I wasn’t aware of it before I started working here.”
Weiss started hosting senior health fairs two years ago when he became president of the organization. So far, he has held 80 fairs in that two-year period, educating 6,000- 7,000 seniors.
“The goal used to be to educate professionals on the ever-changing geriatric industry, telling them how to continue their education,” he said. “When I became president, I realized we don’t do anything for the aging.”
Since then, Weiss has made seniors his focus, equipping them with the right information and preparing them for unforeseeable circumstances.
“We want them to know their options before something happens,” he said. Contact Deanna McLafferty at
DMcLafferty@gmnews.com.