A total of 75 seniors took advantage of the second health clinic hosted by Age Concern this year.

The event took place at the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre in the East End and included vitals, eye and dental screenings.

According to Age Concern’s executive director Claudette Fleming, the event aimed to reach out to seniors in their own communities and make access more availably, particularly to those who cannot afford the services because of costly co-pays or because they have no insurance.

Education co-ordinator Anita Furbert, a registered nurse, added: “Age Concern and its health partners are working very hard to meet the needs of seniors in the provision of our quarterly Health Check events in various areas of the island.

“We were pleased to see more men show up in the East End clinic and to have so many participants coming specifically to have access to the eye screening conducted by Dr Leonard Teye-Botchway and the Bermuda International Eye Institute team. The clinics are becoming the largest-attended Age Concern event outside of our annual MJM legal clinics.”

Cathy Stovell thanked the charity and its partners for the event that helped her mother access dental and eye screenings.

“My mom has never had an eye pressure test and she was very relieved that she had an opportunity to do so at the east-end Health Check event,” she said.

“She was impressed with the care and attention each provider afforded her and quickly heeded the dental advice given.”

The initiative to improve healthcare access for seniors was launched in March this year in partnership with the Department of Health, the Bermuda International Eye Institute and the Chubb Charitable Foundation. Allied World Bermuda also supported the health check event in the East End earlier this month.

Mike McCrimmon, head of Allied World Bermuda, said: “It is our pleasure to join the Health Check initiative in partnership with other notable sponsors such as the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, the Chubb Foundation, and the Department of Health. Clearly, the issue of ageing is an issue for us all.

“Allied World’s Charitable Committee is committed to support initiatives that address the social fabric of Bermuda. We are pleased to support Age Concern in its effort to promote successful ageing throughout the island.”

Dr Fleming also credited the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the staff of the UCC for the ability to host the event in the “state-of-the art” facility.

BHB’s chief operating officer Scott Pearman said: “It was not a difficult decision for us to host the event.

“The clinical amenities of the venue lend themselves well for a clinic of this nature.

“We were pleased that the location of St David’s saw a good response from seniors taking advantage of the free services. We look forward to working with Age Concern and others to maximise the use of the facility in the best interest of meeting the needs of our community.”

The next health check event is being planned for the West End in November. For more information on the initiative or Age Concern call 238-7525 or e-mail info@ageconcern.bm.