senior health Archives - Hays Medical Center

Drive-Thru Flu Shots Available Oct 1 at HaysMed

HaysMed’s annual drive-thru flu shot clinic has been scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 1. The event, which will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will offer free flu shots for all residents older than 6 months.

It will be the 18th year the hospital has offered the community service, and approximately 3,500 people are expected to be vaccinated during the free clinic.

Adults wanting to receive a free flu shot can get one without having to leave their vehicles. HaysMed volunteers will direct traffic during the event, and the maximum wait time is estimated at 15 minutes.

Children older than 6 months will be vaccinated inside the gym at the Center for Health Improvement (CHI). Adults attending with children also can receive their shots inside the waiting area of Hays Orthopedic Institute, located inside the CHI building.

More than 100 volunteers will be on hand to help with the event. HaysMed partners with Fort Hays State University and North Central Kansas Vo-Tech as both facilities provide students to help with the shots.

There will be no nasal flu vaccine at the drive-thru flu shot clinic due to uncertainties regarding its effectiveness. There will be no egg free vaccines available at the drive-thru flu shot clinic. People with a severe egg allergy will need to contact their local healthcare provider for their flu vaccine.

The event is sponsored by the Hays Medical Center Foundation. While there is no cost for flu shots, participants are asked to bring a canned food item to benefit the Community Assistance Center.

The vaccine also is available at HaysMed clinics for patients who are unable to attend the drive-thru flu shot event. Charges will apply at regular clinic visits, though the vaccine is covered by most health insurance plans.

Center for Health Improvement Hosts Annual Senior Health & Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 31

Hays, Kan. (May 3, 2017) HaysMed’s Center for Health Improvement will host its annual Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from 8:00am-12:30pm. The come and go program begins with registration/coffee and welcome at 8:15am. At 8:30am Sam Horacek will lead participants through a “Strong and Steady” balance class. Kelly Flaska and the Center interns will take participants through a Senior Circuit Workout at 9:10am. Beginning at 9:30am Gail Jensen will relax the participants with a 20 minute Hatha/Yin Yoga demonstration. From 10:00-11:00am participants can choose to jump into the pool with Kelly Flaska for Water Aerobics or join Taylor Jones and the Center interns for bingo/cards/trivia. A light lunch will be served to all participants with special presenter, Carmen Winter from 11:00am-12:30pm.

There is no charge for registration. Participants can join all the activities or just attend one or two. Members and Non-members are both welcome so please bring along your friends. We encourage participants to bring a jacket as individual comfort levels may vary.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day is organized as a public/private good health partnership by the Mature Market Resource Center (MMRC). It is a program which offers fitness activities for older adults at more than 1,500 locations including hospitals, park and recreation departments, senior centers, health clubs, retirement communities, houses of worship, health departments and other community locations. This national event is held annually on the last Wednesday in May as part of Older Americans Month.

“Older adults at all levels of physical fitness are encouraged to make fitness a goal for life,” said Taylor Jones, Wellness Specialists and Certified Personal Trainer of The Center for Health Improvement. “Our goal is to keep older adults moving at whatever age they may be; by showing them that it is never too late to set fitness goals and to make regular exercise a part of their life.”

Please RSVP by Friday, May 26 by calling 785-623-5900.