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Generally cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..
Showers and scattered thunderstorms. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Although their clients are normally the older residents of Jackson County, the Department on Aging is hosting an event later this month that will serve the entire community.
The department is collaborating with other state and local agencies to hold a health fair. The Oct. 28 event will offer medications, health screenings and other resources to residents over 18 years of age.
The undertaking could create a financial respite for working-class and older residents who may be struggling to pay for other needs.
“It’s free for them,” said Eddie Wells Department on Aging director. “It’s important to be able to get the medications that they need.”
The health fair will take place in stages.
From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., the nonprofit pharmacy N.C. MedAssist and the Area Agency on Aging will be handing out over-the-counter medications in a drive-through event. One thousand bags of medications, ranging from OTC pain relievers, cold and flu medications, allergy medicines, vitamins, children’s medications or even first aid supplies will be provided free of charge to participants.
Registration is not required, but Wells suggests visiting the N.C. MedAssist website to sign up ahead of time. By signing up early, participants can choose which medications they want in their bag.
“You can just come, but it is first come, first served,” Wells said. “I think we’ll have plenty, but I don’t know that for sure.”
Preregistration could also prevent people from winding up with medications they don’t want or can’t use. For example, a person with an allergy to ibuprofen could preregister and request acetaminophen instead.
Early registration also allows participants to request specialty items such as reading glasses, contact lens solution or diabetic supplies such as glucose tablets or lancets.
Those who do not preregister will receive a prepackaged bag of assorted medicine.
The event is open to everyone. There are no income requirements.
The second part of the event is combined with the drive-through medication pickup. Local departments and service organizations will host stations along the course providing information and materials related to the services they offer. Some will also be holding giveaways.
Agencies participating in the event are the Area Agency on Aging, Mountain Projects, Inc, Disability Partners, United Christian Ministries, Center for Domestic Peace, Jackson County Department of Public Health, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson County Department of Social Services.
Once participants have completed the drive-through portion of the fair, they have a chance to receive some free medical services.
“We were like we’ve got all these people, so let’s provide an opportunity for people to come in and get some screenings,” Wells said. “Once they get their medications, if they want to park and come inside, they can.”
Throughout the day, the Department on Aging, the health department and Western Carolina University School of Nursing will be offering medical screenings in the Department on Aging’s Heritage Room. Participants can choose from a number of free screenings such as vision tests, body mass index, blood pressure and others and receive available vaccinations.
“When we found out we could be approved to do the mobile free pharmacy and they said there could be as many as a thousand people coming through, we took that as an opportunity to help a lot of people,” Wells said.
The event could also be beneficial to those without access to regular medical care.
“We may have people coming through who want to come because they don’t have a way of getting medications or paying for those,” Wells said. “And then sometimes people in those situations are also not getting the screenings that they need. We’re all about keeping people healthy and happy, and the best way to do that is catch things early to provide overall better health.”
The sheriff’s office and health department will also be collecting unused or expired medications for disposal during the day.
To register for free medicines, visit medassist.org/mobile.
Jackson County Department on Aging is located at 100 County Services Park Road, Sylva.
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