More than 60 local vendors, dance troupes and others, along with music, packed the first floor of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library for the second-annual Memphis Public Libraries Senior Health Fair Friday, July 22. 

The first Senior Health Fair was held in 2019. On hiatus since 2020 due to COVID, a variety of free services for seniors were offered, ranging from health care, mobility aid and literacy resources to mental health counseling and physical fitness classes.

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Sponsors included the City of Memphis and Friends of the Library. 

Free COVID-19 testing was provided by Shot RX.

Memphis Public Libraries Adult Services Coordinator Wang-Ying Glasgow feels privileged and relieved bringing back the senior health fair, and he feels it’s long overdue.

“We tend to have a lot of senior programs since they usually have more time during the weekdays to participate in things like book clubs,” Glasgow said. “We have a Health Information Center online and started wanting a senior health fair because health is a first and foremost priority and seniors really want to get that information from us.”

Glasgow added seniors quarantining amid the pandemic since 2020 need physical health care resources but also mental, emotional and networking resources as well. 

“Mental health becomes important more so now than ever because seniors have been isolated for two years,” Glasgow said. “This fair not only provides information and resources but is a great opportunity for the seniors to get connected, get socialized, educated, informed and entertained — get their problems and concerns solved.”

Shirley Wallace-Calhoun, 69, is a crossing guard in Memphis and heard about the event via email. She said she was pleased to find a free health care resource among the booths at the events.

“I hadn’t been to a senior fair since before COVID, so I said, ‘Let me come out and see if I can get some Medicare information,’” Wallace-Calhoun said. “There are some changes coming up with Medicare in a couple of months and stuff, and I also wanted to see what’s been happening since things have been on lockdown since COVID.”

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She said she was pleased upon finding a free health care resource among the booths at the events and the wide variety of vendors offering senior-focused resources. 

“I haven’t really been to the library that much lately, so I’m hoping to find some yoga books to help me relax,” Wallace-Calhoun said. “The number of vendors is so surprising. I was happy to come out, get some freebies, and see what the library has for us.”

Bailey Johnson, 24, is a doctoral student in audiology at the University of Memphis. Manning the university’s booth with free ear plugs, pens and notepads, Johnson said for the senior community, in particular, noticing potential hearing loss can be a frightening experience. 

“A lot of people have been cooped up by themselves dealing with this hearing loss since COVID, feeling like there is nothing they could do, especially in the senior community,” Johnson said. “They feel behind, but it’s never too late. They can come see us, and we can help them get it figured out.”

Johnson says audiology students test seniors’ hearing in a private booth on the first floor of the library, using a portable audiometer giving free hearing screenings and speech testing.

“We put them in a booth, put headphones on them, give them a clicker and they click the button when they find the softest sounds they can hear to give us an idea of if they have hearing loss,” Johnson said. “With speech testing, we present different words to them at different volume levels and see if they can repeat back words to us and communicate.”

Johnson said as a student working with patients experiencing hearing loss, she was excited to volunteer and offer more accessibility to audiology resources.

“Audiology plays a role in hearing and balance. There are a lot of recent research studies coming out that not only is hearing loss affecting older populations’ quality of life but can also speed up leading to dementia and other problems,” Johnson said. “It’s really important to educate this age group about their hearing loss, knowing that it’s not the end of the world. We can help them, are here for them and there are solutions.”

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Retiree Belinda Kerusch, 66, performed a dance with the Hollywood Showliners Linedancers from Hollywood Community Center in the lobby. Kerusch explained why including dance for the senior population helps their mobility, health and wellness.

“Our oldest in the group is 80 years old, but we’re doing dances that senior citizens don’t traditionally do, like hip-hop, jumping around and being very energetic,” Kerusch said. “We bring a whole new spin to the concept of seniors and dance, and that’s what I really love about it. We’re not doing that little old lady stuff where you have to move slow. We’re jumping around like we’re spring chickens.”

Kerusch noted dance in itself is healing and therapeutic and can help improve both mental and physical health.

“Studies have shown that dance really does make you happier, and others are inspired by seeing you dance,” Kerusch said. “They see you dancing, and many can’t believe we’re seniors out here dancing and are their age. It makes them want to let loose and participate.

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“The energy is contagious, and happiness is contagious. We spread joy with our dancing.”

Kerusch noted that any seniors seeking a bit of no-pressure fun after the health fair should give the line dancing class at Hollywood Community Center a try.

“Everyone is welcome to our class. From the time you walk in the door, we will welcome you,” Kerusch said. “If you can’t keep up and do it fast, you just go at your own pace and get involved. It will make you feel better. A whole lot better.”