Staying in good health Bristol Senior Center holds annual Information Health Fair, provides important knowledge Erica Drzewiecki | Staff Visitors to the Informational Health Fair peruse booths in the Bristol Senior Center gymnasium Thursday. By ERICA DRZEWIECKI A year ago the mantra was “stay home, stay safe” and although we aren’t free of covid-19 quite yet, people are now coming out of their homes with good health in mind. The Bristol Senior Center’s Annual Informational Health Fair drew upwards of 250 seniors from Bristol and surrounding communities Sept. 23. The largest event held inside the facility in a very long time, the fair represented a rebirth of an annual tradition. Physical, emotional and mental health and wellness were promoted by over 50 different vendors form all facets of the community - from housing and transportation, to healthcare, insurance and veteran’s affairs. only for the good of older adults, especially coming out of this pandemic. Admission to the fair is free and The largest event held inside the facility in a very long time, the fair represented a rebirth of an annual tradition. “Our whole goal is just to get the information out there,” Senior Center Assistant Director Jason Krueger explained. While other venues that host health fairs pile on vendor fees and charge admission, Bristol’s Department of Aging does it B6 Connecticut PRIME TIME • October 2021 vendors are charged a modest fee ahead of time, if only to guarantee they will show up to participate. Seniors were simply asked to register in advance for staggered arrival times throughout the morning. “People signed up for their hour and it allowed us to control the numbers coming through our building,” Senior Center Director Patty Tomacak said. “Adding the sign-up was very beneficial because it didn’t have everyone showing up at once and it gave people the opportunity to visit freely with the vendors they wanted to.” Masks are still mandated in the senior center at all times, by all people, vaccinated or unvaccinated. Walking out of the gymnasium, husband and wife Ed and Alice Testa carried goody bags filled with handouts and health information. “It was very informative,” Alice said of the fair. “And it was just wonderful
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