TAMC slates annual health fair Saturday
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook Medical Center will hold its annual free community health fair on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Northern Maine Community College gymnasium from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Free adult flu shots will once again be offered, and as an added benefit, TAMC is also offering free high-dose flu shots for adults age 65 or older.
“Older adults are at greater risk of severe illness due to influenza, as human immune defenses become weaker with age,” said Linda Foley, TAMC’s new manager of infection prevention and policy. “Aging also decreases the body’s ability to have a good response after getting a flu shot. A higher dose of antigen in the vaccine gives older people a better immune response, and therefore, better protection against the flu.”
The popular free cholesterol screening will also be offered again this year courtesy of hospital lab staff. Other TAMC practices will offer free screenings and assessments, including blood pressure, BMI/weight, pulse oximetry, visual acuity, diabetes, stroke risk assessment, hearing assessment, pulmonary screening and more.
Children are encouraged to bring in a teddy bear or favorite doll to the Teddy Bear Clinic being held at the Aroostook Pediatrics booth. There will also be a sensory-friendly reading room being hosted by United Way of Aroostook.
In addition to the nearly 30 booths from TAMC, there will be booths from NMCC senior nursing students as well as a number of community organizations, including ACAP, AMHC, Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, C.A.N.C.E.R., Eastern Maine Homecare/VNA, Hope & Justice, Northern Prosthetics & Orthotics, and St. Apollonia Dental Clinic.
Nursing students from the college will staff 10 booths on a wide variety of topics, ranging from mercury in the local fish population to decreasing fall risk and the effects of sugar on oral health.
