Get free blood pressure checks at Kent Senior Wellness day Sept. 22

Free blood pressure and blood sugar checks as well as fitness classes are part of the Senior Wellness day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St.

The day is part of a program known as Fire Department Community Assistance, Referrals and Educations Services presented by the Kent Fire Department. The event is sponsored by local businesses and leaders from assisted living communities as well as by the Kent Firefighters Foundation.

The activities will include information on the services that are available to seniors. A free lunch for the first 200 seniors will be provided by the Kent Firefighters Foundation, the non-profit arm of Local 1747 of the International Association of Firefighters.

Each year hundreds of local seniors suffer falls as a result of illness, injuries, medication, or general health, according to a Kent Fire Department media release. Falls are the No. 1 cause of emergency room treated injuries for people over the age of 50. Many of these people never regain full mobility or health, which adversely affects their quality of life.

Fortunately, many of these falls can be prevented through education, safety devices, and a home survey by the Kent Fire Department’s service program. This Senior Wellness day is being presented to make those most prone to fall aware of the resources that are available to them.

Fire Department Community Assistance Referral and Education Services is a fire department based community injury and illness prevention program that began in the Kent Fire Department. The program was developed to assist residents of our community before a personal health issue becomes an emergency. For more information, go to www.fdcares.org.