HEALTH PROMOTION

HYPERTENSION SCREENING

Free screenings for hypertension are held in various local communities and at some of the Department’s Information and Assistance Fair locations. For information on sites, call:
Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs: (516) 227-8900

HEALTH AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES

The Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs provides health and fitness experts to a variety of senior citizen multi-purpose centers and nutrition programs throughout Nassau County. Services include nurse/health educators who provide health assessments and health promotion education, and fitness experts who provide classes in exercise, dancercize, tai chi, and yoga. For information, call: (516) 227-8968

SEASONAL INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM

The Nassau County Departmens of Senior Citizen Affairs and Health co-sponsor a seasonal influenza immunization program for older persons, in cooperation with local hospitals and community agencies. Older persons receive immunizations at specified sites prior to the flu season.  For information, from October to December, call: (516) 227-8967.

Click Here for the List of Influenza Immunization Sites

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAM

On Tuesdays and Fridays, the Oyster Bay Senior Community Service Center, sponsored by Doubleday/Babcock Senior Center, Inc., offers health maintenance programs to residents of Oyster Bay and surrounding communities. A nurse provided in cooperation with the Visiting Nurse Association of Oyster Bay is available to conduct health assessments and provide screenings and health education. Nutrition services are also provided on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

The following are new additions to this section:

CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Six Weeks to a Healthier You is a chronic disease self management program run by peer leaders. Participants meet once a week for two and a half hours over a period of six weeks.  Sessions cover subjects including: dealing with difficult emotions; healthy food choices; maintaining and improving strength and flexibility; effective communication with family, friends and physicians; and evaluating new health treatments.  One main focus of the program is to inspire participants to have more positive attitudes and to be more proactive in creating healthier experiences.  A second goal is to encourage participants to have an optimistic outlook of their condition(s) and the challenges it presents.  This program is open to Nassau County residents aged 60 and older with chronic condition(s), or to individuals who care for an older person with a chronic condition(s). 

For further information, please call: (516) 227-8927 or (516) 227-8941.

FALL PREVENTION PROGRAM

For older persons in Nassau County, recent rates of hospitalizations, initial emergency department visits, and deaths due to unintentional falls exceed those reported statewide. Falls are preventable.  Community-based organizations play an important role in promoting healthy behaviors and activities in the seniors that they serve.  The Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs, in cooperation with Nassau Community College’s Physical Therapy Assistant Program and the American Physical Therapy Association of New York, schedules the fall prevention awareness program called “Safe and Sound: Fall Prevention and Home Safety” for older persons at different locations during the year.  Seniors are assessed by physical therapists at four stations: Posture Screen, Functional Reach Test, Standing Balance on Foam Pad, and Timed Up and Go.  At the completion of the test there is an exit interview.  Older persons at high risk of falling are encouraged to bring the outcome of the assessment on their “Balance Score Sheet,” to their physician, who may then take the necessary actions to mediate the problem.  For further information, call: (516)227-8925.

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM