Demica Paige understands having access to healthcare resources makes it easier to take control of your health.
Paige, who volunteers with MobileAccess Assistance of Florida, coordinates free senior workshops and activities twice a month at the Leesburg Resource Center.
Recently, seniors in the community gathered at the center for its Fun Brain Bingo for Seniors event. Participants played a version of bingo that focused on lifestyle habits that promote brain health, and they were offered free memory screenings.
“What I’ve noticed when working with caregivers is that the family members or the person themselves may not notice a difference in their memory until it’s too late,” Paige said. “The more we bring these services to them, the more educated people are about their health and the more comfortable they are with testing whenever necessary.”
Morangeli Negron, a registered nurse with the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation, served as bingo caller. Before calling out the first letter, Negron asked participants how they kept their brains healthy. Participants responded with line dancing, crocheting and bingo.
Cindy Horn, of Leesburg, considers herself a “bingo brat.” She said pairing fun activities with access to healthcare representatives from local businesses is great idea.
“It’s convenient because everyone is able to meet at one place and have fun while learning about these resources available to us,” Horn said.
During the game, a mobile research unit bus was available for participants to get a free memory screening. Tyler Oliver, a registered nurse with the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation, said expanding access to healthcare is what motivates the organization.
“We focus on going to under-served communities with the bus to bring these resources to those areas,” Oliver said. “We like to find people where they are in the early stages of memory issues because there are treatments and testings that can help.
“This is one of our flagship events. We do bingo like this as a way to get people involved,” he said. “Hopefully, the activities on the card will be in their minds and they can implement them in their daily lives.”
Those who wanted to follow up with the results of their memory screening with more detailed information were able to sign up for a research study with Charter Research, a clinical research company that has an office in The Villages.
Paige said it’s been rewarding seeing seniors take advantage of the free activities and medical resources during the twice-monthly program.
“I try to bring them fun activities that are good for their wellbeing and increases their access to research.
Next up, MobleAccess Assistance of Florida is hosting a Mother’s Day Arts and Craft event from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. May 18.
For more information about or to register for the program, email dpaige@themobileaccess.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
