May is Older American's Month, Wallingford-based Masonicare Celebrates Seniors with Community Programs

Wallingford, Connecticut-based Masonicare and its affiliates are celebrating Older American's Month in a big way this year. Throughout the month of May, many events and activities are planned to help celebrate senior citizens.

A sampling of activities and events include:

• On May 21 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm, Masonicare and the Prestige ClubSM at MidState Medical Center will hold their second annual "Community Health Fair." This year the theme is "Everything you wanted to know about memory loss - but forgot to ask." The program was designed to help individuals evaluate their own cognitive skills, provide tips to improve memory, and will also offer information to assist those caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. The health fair is free and open to the public and will feature presentations entitled, "Memory Tune-up" and "Jogging Your Memory" and a program demonstrating how stress can be reduced through guided imagery. Several roundtable discussions will be held on topics such as early identification of cognitive impairment, caregiving issues and support for caregivers, and how to chose the appropriate living environment for a family member. For additional information, call 203-679-5041.
  
  
• Ashlar Village, Masonicare's independent living community in Wallingford, is holding an art show to showcase the talent of the Ashlar Village residents. The show opened on May 8, 2003 and runs for two weeks, ending on May 22. For further information, call 203-679-6400.
  
  
• To celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 28, Masonicare's Ashlar Village and the Wallingford Senior Center have planned a full day of activities. During the morning at the Wallingford Senior Center, seniors can participate in "try it" sessions such as Tai Chi and balance, cognitive stimulation and receive health information. In the afternoon at Ashlar Village participants can enjoy physical fun and friendly competitions. To round out the day, seniors will make their own sundaes. For additional information, call 203-679-6400.
  
  
• Masonicare's Leslie G. Wright Residence has a month of activities planned to celebrate the theme "What We Do Makes a Difference." All month, residents and staff will participate in events that highlight interesting anecdotes about residents. One project features mystery baby photos! The month will conclude with a celebratory old-fashioned picnic.
  
  
• Masonic Healthcare Center has several recreational activities planned for residents. Some highlights include: musical entertainment, dance shows, wheelchair square dancing, a Mexican fiesta, bingo, a celebration of memories and a centenarian reception for residents 100 years of age and over.
  
  
• Ashlar of Newtown is holding a "My Older American Hero" essay contest for middle school students. During the month of June, the public can vote for the best essay through the Masonicare web site at www.masonicare.org.
  
  

Masonicare is Connecticut's largest not-for-profit provider of healthcare services and retirement living options.