AARP/Walgreens Wellness Bus Coming

AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour

We all know that prevention is the key to healthy living, but sticking to a routine can be hard. Need inspiration? Healthcare rates are skyrocketing, the economy is struggling at a historic rate—so staying healthy and avoiding costly health-related expenses should be a warm welcome to everyone’s wallets.

Beginning April 14, 2009 an AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour Bus will travel across the U.S. stopping in more than 3,000 cities during the next two years. During this time, more than 2.5 million free health screenings are expected to be delivered focusing especially on underserved communities. Each of the specially equipped AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour buses will have at least one bilingual (Spanish/English-speaking) crew member on staff. Eight buses will traveling across the continental U.S., logging a total of 400,000 miles. In addition, a ninth bus will be dedicated to make rounds in Puerto Rico.

Beginning on Thursday, July 16, the bus will be in Rhode Island to deliver free screenings at the following locations from 12:00—6:00PM.
   
Thursday, July 16—Walgreens 553 Elmwood Avenue-Providence
Friday, July 17—Walgreens 100 Broad Street, Pawtucket
Saturday, July 18—Walgreens 45 Cumberland Street, Woonsocket
Sunday, July 19—Walgreens 1 Pocasset Avenue, Providence
Monday, July 20—Walgreens, 1763 Broad Street, Cranston

Tests are available to adults 18 and older and are worth more than $140.00 in value. Visitors will also have access to free educational information on a variety of health and wellness issues available in both English and Spanish. Free, one-year AARP memberships will be given to all adults who receive screenings. Participants under the age of 50 can pass on the free membership to an eligible adult, and existing members will receive a one-year extension on their current membership status.

Health screenings and programs that promote healthy behaviors can help lower healthcare costs, and give people the chance to live longer and feel better. In fact, there is proposed legislation in Washington on healthcare reform. The proposed reforms would alleviate the financial stranglehold that challenges some people such as caregivers and address the effects that chronic conditions have on many older Americans and their families.

Individuals with chronic conditions—often older adults—use more services and face high costs. But these individuals can face even higher costs if they also need help with their basic needs, such as eating, dressing, and getting around inside or outside of their home. Providing this assistance means even higher costs to Medicaid and Medicare.

Unless we tackle the big issues, like taking action to bring down health care costs, and improving quality of care, families’ health premiums will nearly double in the next 10 years. Importantly, traditionally underserved communities feel these same pressures to manage health care costs for their families

To support some of these sweeping concerns, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour is currently on the road, delivering free health screenings and important educational materials to help people take better care of themselves. The screenings are for cholesterol, blood pressure, bone density, glucose levels and weight evaluations, all critical tests that some people can no longer afford.

Eight buses be will traveling across the continental U.S., logging a total of 400,000 miles. In addition, a ninth bus will be dedicated to make rounds in Puerto Rico.

No appointment is necessary for these health screenings, and visitors do not need health insurance. Certified medical technicians will be conducting the screenings on a first-come, first-serve basis which are valued at more than $140 per person.

For specific information about tour hours and other details, visit www.aarpwalgreens.com/tour or call 1-866-484-TOUR.