The Metropolis of Ocala’s Recreation and Parks division is holding its first Hispanic Senior Wellness Honest on Saturday, Oct. 2, as a part of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The free occasion will final from midday to five p.m. at Residents’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave. With a number of businesses attending to supply data on well being and wellness to the Hispanic group, the occasion goals to boost consciousness of healthcare gaps confronted by Hispanic populations.
The businesses will present assets and reply questions on well being and wellness, in keeping with a press launch on the occasion. There might be hourly well being periods on health, well being care, insurance coverage and social providers.
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Although the division affords different seniors providers, Metropolis of Ocala Advertising and marketing and Communications Supervisor Ashley Dobbs wrote in an e-mail that “this is a chance to serve an extra demographic inside our metropolis.”
Providers for a rising Hispanic inhabitants in Marion County
Census data launched final month confirmed that the inhabitants figuring out as Hispanic or Latino in Marion County grew from over 36,000 folks in 2010 to just about 56,000 in 2020, a rise of 54.7%. The Hispanic and Latino inhabitants makes up 14.9% of Marion County.
In Ocala, the Hispanic and Latino inhabitants makes up 17.1% of the town. From 2010 to 2020, it noticed a 65.4% enhance to just about 11,000 residents.
“We acknowledge that the Hispanic inhabitants is rising,” Dobbs wrote. “Remaining engaged with residents permits us a possibility to create connections and supply assets in order that inhabitants segments don’t turn into underserved inside our group.”
There will be several vendors at the event, as well as two food trucks and local dance groups for entertainment. Guests will also be entered in drawings for two gift baskets donated by Vertex Retirement.
Vendors include:
- Dynamic Therapy and Wellness Services, Inc
- Elder Options’ Hispanic Outreach
- Ocala Hispanic Business Council
- Devoted Insurance
- Island Doctors Medical Group
- Vertex Retirement
- West Marion Family Practice
- Cano Health
- Intelligence Health Group-Wellness Concierge
- ALC Artistic Bakery
“It’s important for all citizens, especially seniors, to have access to a variety of healthcare information and resources to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Dobbs wrote. “Vendors will be onsite to provide information about the options available within Ocala.”
The Hispanic Business Council will give a presentation at 12:15 p.m., followed by Elder Options’ Hispanic Outreach at 1:15 p.m. Dr. Stella Nemuseso of Dynamic Therapy and Wellness Services is the keynote speaker. She will discuss “Boosting your immunity by managing your ABCs” at 3:15 p.m.
Elder Options provides senior services in English and Spanish
Lisa Kanarek, the outreach and education coordinator for Elder Options, told the Star-Banner the organization is thrilled to participate in the Hispanic Senior Wellness Fair and other Hispanic Heritage Month events.
Elder Options is a nonprofit serving seniors in 16 counties in North Central Florida by providing unbiased information and assisting them in leading healthy, independent lives.
“We really hope the attendees know that we are there for them,” Kanarek said. “We have programs in Spanish and in English. Really, for us, it’s just making sure that the community knows that we’re here and we’re here to serve.”
Representatives will present information on Elder Options’ SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program, which provides free and confidential counseling assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers.
They will also present information on vaccinations for seniors and options to receive vaccinations at home or arrange rides to appointments.
“While 84% of Marion’s seniors have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, it is very important that their families, caregivers, and loved ones also get vaccinated,” Kanarek said, also noting flu and shingles vaccines. “Our focus is trying to really cocoon the senior communities, make sure that all the families and caregivers are vaccinated.”
Elder Options will also have information available about their chronic disease and fall prevention programs, caregiver support programs and Elder Helpline, 1-800-262-2243, which can provide translation services in over 240 languages.
Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.
