St. Francis Hospital is focusing on helping people 50 and older live healthier longer lives by reviving the hospital’s PrimeTime program. The program, which was originally launched in 2007 as PrimeTime Seniors, kicks off a new season of life on Tuesday, May 16. Now simply called PrimeTime, the program will provide educational programs and free health screenings.

“As we seek to make our community healthier, we want to continue in the rich tradition of community service established by St. Francis as we provide educational opportunities and resources to help people live healthier lives,” said David Koontz, St. Francis CEO.

On Tuesday, May 16, St. Francis CEO David Koontz will provide an update on the hospital. Coffee and cookies will be served with registration starting at 9:15 a.m. and the program beginning at 9:45 a.m.  In conjunction with American Stroke Month, the May program will also include a presentation on preventing, detecting and treating stroke by Neurologist Dr. Nojan Valadi, Medical Director of the Stroke Program at St. Francis. Free health screenings at the May program will include a blood pressure screenings and stroke risk assessment as well as depression and sleep disorder screenings.

Another program will be held on Tuesday evening, May 23, at 7 p.m. for those not able to attend a daytime event.  The program for the 23rd focuses on heart health and will feature Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Jacob Davtyan, Medical Director of Cardiovascular Surgery at St. Francis and Assistant Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University.

Programs are free, but because of limited space, reservations are requested by calling 706-320-8060.

Unfortunately, we already know that this next generation of seniors isn’t going to be as healthy as previous generations, Koontz said. That’s according to the America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report, a report from the United Health Foundation. The report looks at the current health status of people ages 50 to 64 and compares them to the same ages in 1999. “There’s a 55% higher prevalence of diabetes and a 25% higher prevalence of obesity. The good news is that 50% fewer are smokers,” he said.

The health programs being provided by the hospital will actually be targeted to three different generations: Baby Boomers, The Greatest Generation and the Silent Generation.

·       Baby Boomers, ages 52 to 71 this year, were born between the years 1946-1964.

·       The Silent Generation, ages 72 to 89, were born between the years 1928-1946.

·       The Greatest Generation, who would be ages 90+, includes those born before 1928.
 
Monthly programs will alternate between morning and evening, recognizing that many people still work during the day. More older Americans – those ages 65 and older – are working now than at any time since the turn of the century, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of employment data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, today’s older workers are spending more time on the job than did their peers in previous years.

The easiest way to enroll in the free program is by attending a meeting or calling the Physician Referral / Class Registration Line at 706-320-8060.