Rain Doesn't Stop Seniors from Getting a Head Start on Good Health

The Municipal Services Building transformed into a bustling arena of healthcare providers and local seniors on Friday morning, as South San Francisco’s Senior Services Department and Kaiser Permanente put on the 14th annual Senior Health Fair.

From 9am to noon, booths occupied multiple rooms in the building, with stations where seniors could access free services such as blood pressure and glucose screening, as well as informational booths from private vendors giving out pamphlets on in-home care and other services.

Laura Gigi, program coordinator for South San Francisco Senior Services, said that despite the morning’s continuous downpour, a steady stream of seniors perused the various booths, almost measuring up to a turnout that usually delivers between 300 to 400 seniors.

“The rain didn’t seem to stop them from coming today,” she said. “Every year it’s been huge.”

Gigi, along with Sheila Fusaro, assistant medical group administrator for Kaiser, helped oversee the event, which brought a multitude of vital services into one place, all free of charge to attendees.

Fusaro said that, in addition to on-site tests for things like glaucoma and high cholesterol, doctors and nurses from Kaiser were providing free information and advice on topics ranging from breast health to medication safety. Physical therapists were also on hand to give mini-workshops and perform basic services, such as cane adjustments.

South City resident Eva Grant, who has attended the fair for multiple years in a row, received information on dietary guides and safe weight loss advice, and said that the materials and resources provided by volunteers and vendors at the fair was invaluable.

“The information is excellent,” Grant said. “It gives you a sort of basis on where to go.”

Volunteers from Kaiser worked with all incoming seniors, regardless of their current health carriers. While the information given was mainly intended as a starting point for those who came, Fusaro said that attending doctors and nurses could help advise patients on the next steps they should take in their health procedures.

Fusaro explained that, although differences in health insurance plans prevent them from making direct referrals at the fair, “If we were to test someone who had high blood pressure, we would advise them to see a doctor.” She added that firefighters were also on hand to help assess and assist seniors with more severe conditions.  

Most seniors walked out of the building carrying bags full of pamphlets and free information on various health, legal and nursing care services available, and many shared Grant’s gratitude for the free service put on by Kaiser and the city each year.

“I think this is a really beneficial service,” Grant said, adding that she would like to see demonstrations on healthy cooking and exercise for seniors at future events. “I appreciate greatly the doctors and nurses that are here.”