Walk to Health offers resources and information

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – An agency that helps older individuals and those with disabilities find needed services held a health and information fair in Monroe County.

Mississippi Access to Care, or MAC, wanted to promote healthy habits, and also valuable information and resources to the public.

Sara Nash joined fellow residents of Amory’s Oak Tree Manor Assisted Living Community, as they took a brisk walk around Frisco Park.

As they crossed the finish line, each walker got a medal and some water as the first ever “Walk to Health” event kicked off in Monroe County.

“If you stay physically active, you will be able to live longer, not be bedridden,” said Nash.

“I try and stay as active as possible to keep my body going, cause getting older is a challenge, you got to keep muscles going to keep pains and joint pains from getting to your body,” said Monroe County resident Larry Clark.

Promoting healthy lifestyles was just one objective of the Walk To Health.

It also gave vendors a chance to come together and showcase services like hospice care, addiction treatment and how to prevent Medicare fraud.

“Senior Medicare Patrol is a federal program whose mission is to educate seniors, and their caregivers, family members on protecting them from falling victim to healthcare fraud, Medicare scams, that type of thing,” said Kevin Harvins, of SMP.

Mississippi Access to Care organized the “Walk to Health”.

The nonprofit acts as a source of information about programs and services for the elderly, disabled or anyone needing assistance with long term care.

The Mississippi Access to Care Network is part of the Three Rivers Planning and Development District.  MAC Centers serve 41 counties throughout Northeast Mississippi.