Several hundred people took advantage of two health fairs hosted by Memorial Hospital at the Cloud Livestock Facility last week.

About 150 people attended a health fair for senior citizens on Thursday, Oct. 18, while an additional 300 or more people attended a health fair for people of all ages on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Jan Godwin, director of public relations and volunteer services at Memorial Hospital, said both health fairs provided citizens with access to a variety of basic health check-ups for a small fee, as well as free consultation from health care professionals.

Among the tests offered for a fee were blood tests, including a prostate specific antigen test for men, and flu shots.

Free checks included body fat analysis provided by the YMCA, pulmonary function tests done by respiratory therapists, bone density and upper body strength tests done by Memorial’s physical rehabilitation department, and glaucoma checks provided by optometrist Dr. Lisa Martin.

Informational booths were hosted by BAIN (independence for disabled persons), the Decatur County Breast Cancer Support Group, and LifeLink (organ donation). Hospice of Southwest Georgia, Gentiva Hospice and the Willow Ridge assisted living home also provided information.

Bainbridge College nursing students performed blood pressure checks at Wednesday’s health fair, while students in the Certified Nursing Assistant class at Bainbridge High School got hands-on experience by doing blood pressure checks at the senior health fair.

Godwin said the hospital appreciated the support of the Decatur County Board of Commissioners, who allowed both health fairs to be hosted at the Cloud Livestock Facility.