From fall prevention to grief support, health fair puts care within reach

MT. PLEASANT — The hum of conversation mixed with the soft shuffle of footsteps across Calvary Baptist’s gym the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 24 as seniors stopped at tables offering everything from hearing checks to grief support.

By midmorning, the Senior Health Fair had become more than a collection of booths — it was a place where neighbors asked questions, compared notes and found resources they didn’t know existed.

“This [event] was put together phenomenally,” attendee Cindy Nesbitt said. “All these people, all these groups, care about the people of Mt. Pleasant and they have answers for them, not just phone numbers that send you to a recording.”

For the second year, Henry County Public Health organized the event to put practical help in reach.

When deciding what organizations, services and education would best fit this event, Public Health Community Outreach Coordinator Kelly Carr said she and her team primarily considered what was recommended for the older population of Henry County such as vaccines, hearing tests and blood pressure screenings.

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“We love the idea and just think it is a good way to see what all is in the community,” attendee Anita Hampton said.

She and her husband Mark volunteered at the fair last year, but this year they came simply to participate.

“We got our shots, and this is a very organized way of getting needs met and seeing what kind of resources are out there,” she said.

Carr said choosing who to invite to host tables for the event was partially inspired by what they were hearing from the community.

“The ER had identified a couple years ago that they were seeing higher incidence of people falling in their homes,” Carr said. “So, that’s why we thought, OK, that’s a good thing to do. And then depression and anxiety, that’s a common problem right now.”

Screenings were paired with immediate follow-ups. A blood pressure check came with information on home monitoring, and a fall-risk test led directly to information on enrollment in a prevention program.

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At one table, Erika Flaherty with Henry County Health Center explained that fall-related injuries are the number one trauma for aging individuals in the United States.

She said simple daily struggles can signal a higher risk for fall injuries. Asking questions like “Have you fallen in the past year?” or “Do you feel dizzy or unsteady?” help identify concerns. Needing to push off with your hands to rise from a chair, rushing to the bathroom, holding onto furniture while walking, or having trouble stepping onto a curb are all red flags.

Conditions like diabetes, which can cause numbness in the feet, or side effects from certain medications, can also increase the likelihood of a fall. By screening for these signs, providers can connect seniors with prevention programs before an accident happens.

Flaherty also explained the Stepping On class that Public Health runs for people at risk of falling.

“It’s a great program,” she said.

Not far away, the Mt. Pleasant REC Center also offered ways for seniors to stay active. According to trainer Julie Dufour, the REC Center offers classes for seniors Monday-Friday.

One such class is Silver Sneakers, which focuses on improving strength, range of motion and balance to help with daily living activities. Another is Senior Bootcamp, which combines cardio, strength, balance and flexibility exercises to improve overall fitness, bone density and mobility. Both offer modified options and provide a social atmosphere for seniors looking to stay healthy.

Additionally, Dufour said many insurance plans cover memberships to the REC Center for seniors.

Not every table was easy for attendees to approach. EveryStep Hospice staff said they noticed some visitors hesitate when walking past, unsure if stopping meant something uncomfortable. Their goal, however, was to make hospice less intimidating by stressing that it represents choice and support, not a loss of control.

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“We just want people to not have a stigma,” Carrie Green said.

“You get to make every decision … you want to keep your doctor — cool. You want to keep your bed, you don’t want to keep your bed — you get to make every decision,” Gwen Norton added.

Green and Norton explained that EveryStep’s services reach far beyond end-of-life care. They highlighted grief support programs such as Amanda the Panda, which helps children process loss, and pre-bereavement services that guide families through difficult transitions.

Green said their volunteers work with people from prenatal care to the final stages of life, and that local families often don’t realize they can access support even if their loved one is not enrolled in hospice.

The staff’s message was simple: hospice is not about giving up, it is about gaining resources.

“We’ve been here for 20 years,” Green said, noting that EveryStep covers multiple counties in southeast Iowa. “We just want people to know we’re here, and that they don’t have to go through these things alone.”

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Many hospital and medical practice representatives also offered education and freebies at the fair. Allison Clarke, from Henry County Health Center, described options that keep patients close to home.

“They come to our swing bed program, which is skilled,” Clarke said of the hospital’s med-surg unit. “They don’t have to go to a nursing home to get stronger before they can go home.”

A representative for HCHC’s Senior Life Solutions offered depression and anxiety screenings along with resources at the fair. Chastity Lange of Senior Life Solutions said her program provides group and individual therapy for seniors, often around issues like grief, loneliness, and the loss of independence.

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While Lange says she does see people come into therapy “dragging their feet,” she is seeing more acceptance of therapy and mental health resources lately in the older population.

“I do feel like more people are talking about it and their grown children are encouraging them to come in,” Lange said.

Lange said she believes that younger generations have helped reduce the stigma and provide encouragement to seek help.

Other ways family members can support the older generations in terms of mental health include watching for subtle changes such as irritability, loss of appetite, changes in sleep, or giving up activities once enjoyed as these can be signs that a loved one is struggling.

“Just listen to them,” she said. “Give us a call. We’re more than happy to help walk them into that first step.”

By pairing screenings with immediate referrals, Public Health and partner organizations hoped to ensure that no one left the fair without knowing where to turn.

If anything, Michelle Dunn and Sarah Berndt with the Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization say anyone can reach out to the new state program System Navigation.

“Sometimes people don’t know where to start, and you can get a phone number, but then it’s just a recording,” Dunn said. “Here you’re getting a person who can explain it, walk you through it, and make sure you’re connected. That’s what makes it easier to navigate.”

Iowans seeking assistance finding behavioral health services can contact Your Life Iowa by calling 855-581-8111 or texting 855-895-8398. This free program connects individuals with system navigators like Dunn who can help walk them through finding resources.

“They have services, and they know where to help you and how to help and they want to help you,” Nesbit said of the overall fair. “I have not seen something with this much empathy and compassion, which is so not easy to find in today’s world. This is … I just can’t tell you … how impressed I am.”

“People need to know where to go, and they need to feel not stupid,” she said. “Here these people are waiting for you to come and get help.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com