New program for elderly premieres at senior center
An informative program aimed at senior citizens got started Feb. 7 with a talk by Dr. Randy Whitely of Heritage Medical Center in Peabody. The program, called "Lunch n' Learn," will be offered at the center the first Wednesday of each month. It is sponsored by Legacy Park and will address health issues of interest to senior citizens. This past week, Whitely addressed a group of a dozen or so people about dizziness and vertigo.
"I thought it was informative," said Sally Matz. "I enjoyed it and I learned something. People should come and hear him."
Vicky Nicholas, administrator of Legacy Park, said the program is an attempt on the part of the nursing care facility to be of assistance to Peabody Senior Center. "Of course we want people to hear Dr. Whitely and be informed about health issues," said Nicholas. "But we also want to help the senior center by providing something that will boost attendance and perhaps introduce people to the nutritious meals and the fellowship and activities available there."
Nicholas said she was pleasantly surprised by the number of questions that were asked of Whitely after his talk. "Dr. Whitely is very approachable," she said. "The people who attended this first program were receptive and asked good questions.
"And you know, I was surprised by how good the questions were and how appropriate they were to the topic," she added.
Nicholas said that future programs would feature information on diabetes, hypertension, headaches, and other ailments that can haunt senior citizens.
"We will also be looking for suggestions from the target audience," she said. "And we will look to those in attendance for guidance about what things interest them."
There is a charge for the meal at the center. For more information about the "Lunch n' Learn" series contact Peabody Senior Center at 983-2226 or Legacy Park at 983-2152.
