By Shelby Smith

Staying healthy and feeling great in the latter years of like is a continuing priority for the seniors in our community as well as those close to them. South Carolina has over 1 million seniors aged 65 and older— 20% of the total state population of 4,961,000, in 2016. And with its beautiful, sandy beaches and mild climate, Myrtle Beach is a prime location for many of them to settle.

That’s why we’re thrilled that the town of Surfside Beach is hosting their 3rd Annual Seniors Fair for Health & Wellness, on Friday, October 20, inside the Surfside Beach Fire House located next to Town Hall.

The Ralph Magliette Seniors Citizens Committee is helping to present the event, and Tidelands Health, Horry County Council on Aging, and DynaSwingFit Golf School are sponsors. Here’s a bit more about our sponsors:

As our region’s largest health care provider, Tidelands Health is dedicated to keeping the communities the health system serves healthy and active, inside and outside of the hospital. Tidelands Health has three hospitals and nearly 50 outpatient providers that stretch from North Myrtle Beach to Hemingway. More than 200 physicians and 1,800 employee partners are working side by side with patients to transform the health of our region — promoting wellness, preventing illness, encouraging recovery and restoring health.

The Horry County Council on Aging, Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 1975 to provide senior care services throughout Horry County. HCCOA was created in accordance with the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide in-home services, senior care services, and senior activities for members in our community.

The DynaSwingFit Golf School helps golfers of all ages and skill levels improve their game. They host a specialty program designed specifically for seniors called Seniors Enhanced Golf. It’s an instruction program uniquely tailed to accommodate senior’s changing physical needs, and meets them where they’re at to help them achieve greater power, control, and consistency in their swing. Shelby Smith, the owner and director, is a golf teaching professional with 30 years of experience in his field.

The Seniors Fair will have many offerings. More than thirty-five health and wellness related vendors are participating, including: the Alzheimer’s Association, Arthritis Foundation, Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, Care Givers & Hospices, American Heart Association, and Horry County Council on Aging. Walgreens Pharmacy will be providing pneumonia and flu shots (insurance card required). Free blood pressure and pulse readings are being done by Con- way Medical Center. There will be door prizes, raffles, and food-truck concessions too.

Whether you’re in need of meal assistance, housekeeping assistance, or a variety of activities designed to help you maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, you’ve found your connection at the Surfside Beach Senior Fair. It’s open to all ages, not just seniors, and we welcome all who have a senior in their lives to come and receive information to help support you to support them.

Our ultimate goal is for seniors to stay healthy, active, and involved in our community.

See you there.