La Quinta Hosts Wellness Fair to Promote Health and Fitness
LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) — A health and wellness fair in La Quinta brought together local organizations Thursday, giving residents a chance to learn about healthcare services, ask questions and find resources that could help them save money.
The free event was held at the La Quinta Wellness Center, where visitors could learn about Medicare, hospice care and other health services. Flu shots were also available.
For local resident Kirk McKee, the visit was unexpected.
“I had no intention of coming to the gym here today and seeing this, but once I saw it, I just opened myself up to it,” McKee said.
McKee said he had questions about Medicare and some personal health concerns. After speaking with representatives at the fair, he left with helpful information and contacts he could follow up with for additional answers.
The event comes during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7.
During this time, people with Medicare can review their coverage and make changes to eligible health and prescription drug plans for the following year. Comparing plans can help residents identify coverage that better fits their needs and potentially lower their healthcare costs.
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, known as HICAP, offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling to help residents understand their options, compare plans and learn about potential savings.
Caroline Doran, supervisor at the La Quinta Wellness Center, said this is an especially important time for seniors to review their health coverage.
“This is the time of year when our seniors are needing to change their plans. Because maybe something has changed on their Medicare plan,” Doran said.
Beyond health insurance, the fair also introduced residents to other types of medical care.
Sarah Dean, a registered nurse and clinical liaison with Gentiva Hospice, said community events provide an opportunity to educate people about hospice services and address common misconceptions.
Dean explained that hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life for people nearing the end of life. She said many families are surprised to learn about the care and support available through hospice programs.
Organizers say the goal of the annual event is to help residents discover resources they may not have known existed and share that information with family members, friends and neighbors.
For McKee, what started as an ordinary visit to the wellness center ended with information he can use to make decisions about his health.
Where to find help
Residents who need assistance understanding Medicare can contact HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 for free counseling.
For more information about Medicare open enrollment, visit Medicare.gov (https://www.medicare.gov/).
Residents can also learn about local wellness programs through the City of La Quinta (https://www.laquintaca.gov/).
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