The 8th Annual National Women’s Health & Fitness Day, set for Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 is great end of month celebration of National Senior Center Month. For senior centers that have not participated in this event before, here’s our Top Ten list of quick and easy event ideas to get women at your center involved in the event. Also, invite women in your community to visit and participate in your center’s activity during National Women’s Health & Fitness Day.

Set up a table at your center and make copies of the free women’s health handouts to distribute during National Women’s Health & Fitness Day. You can also contact local chapters of health organizations for free copies of health information brochures and materials to distribute. Try local chapters of the American Heart Association, the Arthritis Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the American Diabetes Association.

If you have any activity or exercise classes set for Wednesday, September 30th, invite local women to visit your class as part of your National Women’s Health & Fitness Day celebration.

Invite a representative from a local YMCA/YWCA/JCC or health club to make a presentation at your center on the importance of regular physical activity for women.

Invite a representative from your local hospital or health system to make a presentation on key health screenings and preventive health topics for women 50+. Your speaker can also discuss the upcoming flu season and the importance of getting a flu shot this fall.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Invite a staff member from a local chapter of the American Cancer Society or local hospital or medical group to talk to women at your center about the important of regular mammograms for breast health. Invite local women in your community to attend this presentation.

Schedule a “mini-health” fair by asking several local health-related businesses and organizations to make table-top presentations at your center during your National Women’s Health & Fitness Day event. Local organizations and businesses to contact include medical groups, podiatrists, chiropractors, vision care centers, hearing centers, and others.

If your center offers lunches, ask your meal provider to prepare a special National Women’s Health & Fitness Day lunch menu featuring healthy food choices, along with ways to prepare healthier meals at home.

Invite a local pharmacist to host a “brown bag” session during National Women’s Health & Fitness Day. Your local pharmacist can speak about potential risks when taking certain prescription and over-the-counter medicines and vitamins/supplements. Also, see if the pharmacist can schedule private time with women at your event to review their medicines and any medication questions they should discuss with their physicians.

Contact your local health providers and health systems about setting up one or more health screenings at your center as part of National Women’s Health & Fitness Day. Examples of screenings include blood pressure checks, cholesterol levels, bone density, hearing and vision tests, and diabetes checks.

Schedule a National Women’s Health & Fitness Day health walk sponsored by your center. Choose a local park or school, and make sure to plan for an alternate date or location in the event of bad weather

Need More Quick & Easy Ideas for Your Event?
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e-mail: info@fitnessday.com.