WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center will offer free health assessments and presentations about aging on Saturday, Dec. 5, as part of its sponsorship of the “Amazing Feats of Aging” exhibit currently on display at SciWorks through Jan. 2, 2010.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5, Wake Forest Baptist will offer free health information, information about upcoming studies and free health screenings and assessments, including: blood pressure, carotid artery, safe driving, cholesterol, glucose, and grip strength, walking and cognition. Sticht Center physicians will also be on hand to provide information about the appropriate amounts and forms of physical activity and nutrition.
In addition, Stephen B. Kritchevsky, Ph.D., director of the J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging, will discuss “New Findings in Healthy Aging” in the auditorium at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., Jeff Williamson, M.D., chief of the section on gerontology and geriatric medicine and clinical director of the Sticht Center of Aging, will lead a panel discussion titled, “Planning ahead for declines in ability to live in your home: Starting the conversation between children and parents.” Adults of all ages are invited to attend to get information helpful for future planning. Admission is free for all individuals 55 years and older.
“This exhibit shows what people can do to improve their chances of a long and healthy life and is right in line with our center’s mission to promote the health and independence of older adults,” Kritchevsky said. “There are wonderful and unique things that people experience at every age. Aging brings great wisdom and understanding to human experience and we are thrilled to be associated with this exhibit that helps to dispel the negative stereotypes that many people have about aging.”
“Amazing Feats of Aging” was created and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It was funded by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The exhibit explains mysteries of aging and how animals and humans age. Visitors get a peek into the future as they watch their faces instantly age 25 years and more. Designed for adult children and their aging parents, families, and school groups (grades K-8), this highly interactive health science exhibition focuses on the biology of aging, aging across the animal kingdom, healthy aging, and aging of the brain.
SciWorks is located at 400 W. Hanes Mill Road in Winston-Salem. For more information, visit www.sciworks.org or call 336-767-6730.
Media Relations
Lisa Long: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587