WVU student pharmacists host health fair for local seniors
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Second-year students from the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy hosted a health fair at The Village at Heritage Point retirement community on Saturday, April 5 to educate residents about certain health conditions and discuss prescription medications.
The student pharmacists provided information about diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and osteoporosis. To connect with each of these topics, residents received free blood glucose testing and blood pressure, cholesterol, and bone density screenings and learned how to maintain healthy levels.
Students also discussed medications that are prescribed for each health condition and provided information about other behaviors, such as diet and exercise, the residents can do to manage their health.
“The purpose of the health fair was not only to educate residents about certain chronic health conditions but to encourage residents to understand what medications they are taking and why and to stress the importance of taking all their medications as directed,” Christopher Ooten, WVU student pharmacist from Williamson, W.Va., said. “We wanted to be able to answer any questions the residents may have had about their medications in case they were unclear about them. In order to get the most benefit from your medications and improve your health, you must take your medications regularly and follow all directions.”
Student pharmacists also provided information on immunizations, such as the shingles vaccination, to explain steps the residents can take to prevent disease and maintain their health.
The students worked with residents of The Village at Heritage Point as part of their Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience class, which promotes service to the community. The students created the medication counseling and health fair event to focus on objectives of the Healthy People 2020 initiative – a program to improve the health of Americans.
Photo caption:
WVU student pharmacist Linden Nelson (right) discusses blood pressure and medications with a Village at Heritage Point resident while WVU nursing student Connie Beckett provides a blood pressure screening.
The student pharmacists provided information about diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and osteoporosis. To connect with each of these topics, residents received free blood glucose testing and blood pressure, cholesterol, and bone density screenings and learned how to maintain healthy levels.
Students also discussed medications that are prescribed for each health condition and provided information about other behaviors, such as diet and exercise, the residents can do to manage their health.
“The purpose of the health fair was not only to educate residents about certain chronic health conditions but to encourage residents to understand what medications they are taking and why and to stress the importance of taking all their medications as directed,” Christopher Ooten, WVU student pharmacist from Williamson, W.Va., said. “We wanted to be able to answer any questions the residents may have had about their medications in case they were unclear about them. In order to get the most benefit from your medications and improve your health, you must take your medications regularly and follow all directions.”
Student pharmacists also provided information on immunizations, such as the shingles vaccination, to explain steps the residents can take to prevent disease and maintain their health.
The students worked with residents of The Village at Heritage Point as part of their Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience class, which promotes service to the community. The students created the medication counseling and health fair event to focus on objectives of the Healthy People 2020 initiative – a program to improve the health of Americans.
Photo caption:
WVU student pharmacist Linden Nelson (right) discusses blood pressure and medications with a Village at Heritage Point resident while WVU nursing student Connie Beckett provides a blood pressure screening.