PRMC Celebrates One Year with ‘Senior Friend’ Program with Over 300 Members

Every eight seconds, another U.S. citizen turns 50. The aging of the population will reshape the health care system, just as it is reshaping the face of the U.S. population. To address the increasing needs of the aging population, Palestine Regional Medical Center offers a program for people who are ages 50 or better. Called Senior Friends, the program provides benefits and services that are focused on health and wellness.

Just over one year old, Senior Friend’s membership at Palestine Regional Medical Center has reached over 300.

In addition to monthly brunches featuring speakers on a variety of topics, Monnie Giles, personal trainer, offers senior exercise classes 3 mornings each week. Monthly calendars of events are available on the hospital website at www.palestineregional.com.

“Empowering people who are 50 and better to live healthier happier lives is the goal of our Senior Friends program,” said Lynn Scribner, Director of Marketing and Business Development. “Having greater access to health information and local experts is the cornerstone for a lifetime of good health. That’s why the Senior Friends program was created.”

“Thanks to medical advances over the past 50 years – from polio and measles vaccines to heart surgery and organ transplants – more of us are living longer than ever. In fact, the wave of aging U.S. ‘Baby Boomers’ - 78 million people born between 1946 and 1964 – is reshaping the health care system forever. Every day, almost 11,000 Boomers turn 50 – that’s one every eight seconds. By 2030, the 65+ population will nearly double as a result of the aging Baby Boomers. When the last of the Boomers reaches retirement age, almost 20 percent of the US population will be 65 or older compared to less than 13% today,” Scribner continued.

Part of the National Association of Senior Friends, local programs are provided through sponsoring hospitals – like Palestine Regional Medical Center, which are affiliated with LifePoint Hospitals. Through their local sponsoring facility, members have access to health information, resources and experiences customized just for them and their communities. A number of national benefits are provided to members in addition to the ones available at the local hospital.

Andrea Sims, R.N. serves as the Senior Friends program coordinator. “Exceeding the expectations of people who are entering the ‘prime of their lives,’ ages 50+, is one of our main priorities with this new program,” she said. “We’re looking forward to creating and maintaining relationships that will help make our community healthier.”

Membership is open to people who are ages 50 or better. Dues are $15 a year, or $26 for two years. For a membership application, people may visit the hospitals website at www.palestineregional.com or call Sims at 903-731-8902.

“We believe that by learning more about our hospital, its services and healthcare professionals, as well as having access to resources and programs to improve their health, people over 50 can look forward to living better, not just longer,” said Scribner.