Age in Action festivities

BY JESSICA LYONS
About 10,000 of New York Citys senior citizens gathered in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to participate in Age in Action 2007.
Age in Action is a celebration not only of longevity, but of vitality, talent and creativity of this citys diverse seniors, said Edwin Mendez-Santiago, the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging. New York seniors are essential to the vitality of this great city. It truly is a great place to grow old.
During the festivities on Wednesday, May 9, which ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., senior citizens were able to go to informational booths, watch entertainment, play games, go on trolley rides, learn how to use the internet or sit and enjoy the company of other seniors. Among the representatives in attendance were the Department of Health and Medical Hygiene, Fire Department, Police Department, Public Housing Authority and Social Security.
We welcome all of our seniors from the entire city. Its on your shoulders that we stand, said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. She continued, Thank you for being here for us all these years; we owe you everything.
Social Security Regional Commissioner Beatrice Disman said that the event has grown a great deal during the five years that she has been participating in it. She said that it is the most efficient way to reach senior citizens and described it at as one-stop shopping for them to get information.
Representatives of her office were promoting a new campaign that will take place throughout the year to let caregivers know about extra help available for Medicare prescription drugs.
Its really, truly an amazing event, Disman said.
Lucy Co, 68 of the Newtown Senior Center in Elmhurst, attended the event because she was involved with one of the many performances that took place.
The event is exciting, really good, she said, adding that the keys to a long and healthy life are exercise, dancing and walking. Everybody likes it.
Age in Action is an annual event held in conjunction with Older Americans Month. It was presented by the Department for the Aging and the Aging in New York Fund. Sponsors included Affinity Health Plan, Empire City Yonkers Raceway, Forest City Ratner, HealthNet Medicare Programs, Secure Horizons, and Touchstone Health.