A large number of people who live in low-income housing are over 75, live alone and have a variety of disabilities and communication barriers such as hearing impairment.

 

 

Senior Healthcare Screening Program

As people age, risk factors for accidents, disease and social isolation increase and contribute to barriers in accessing needed care. 

For over 7 years, the Senior Healthcare Screening Program has provided underserved seniors with screenings, assessments and interventions that are imperative to chronic disease prevention and management.  The experienced, highly-trained Public Health Nurses go to the communities where seniors live, making it much easier for them to access health care screenings and prevention education. 

This program has saved countless lives.  Our goal is to reach out to over 1,000 men and women over the age of 50, of all races, at 13 different locations within the County. The health screenings will be provided 5 days per week and will take place at 3 locations in Oxnard, 2 in Camarillo and 1 each in Fillmore, Ojai, Santa Paula, Moorpark, Piru, Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. 

Jane is a 65-year-old female who had been attending classes at the clinic since it began at the senior center in 2006. The initial assessment with Jane three years ago indicated a blood pressure above recommended parameters and a BMI that placed her in the high-risk category. Jane was also threatening to stop taking her blood pressure medicine due to what she called, “uncomfortable side effects.”

Jane was urged to describe how she was feeling to her doctor and discuss her concerns before making the choice to stop her medication. She came to the clinic today for her monthly blood pressure check and informed the nurse that she did speak to her doctor as recommended and he started her on a new medication that she believes is working, “beautifully!” She also stated that she no longer has feelings of being tired, sick and dizzy all of the time. She began to exercise and since her last visit, has lost 10 pounds. Jane stated that if it had not been for the nurses operating this program, she would have given up long ago.  She wanted to let us know how grateful she is for the program being available to those who need it.