Montclair Public Library has teamed up with Clara Maass Medical Center for a free wellness assessment!
The Montclair Public Library was founded in 1893 and has been serving the citizens of Montclair ever since. It relies on municipal and private funding to offer a host of free educational programs, family events and services seven days a week, changing lives every day through words, ideas and community connections.
On Thursday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., MPL will be hosting a wellness assessment for seniors with the assistance of Clara Maass Medical Center. There will be a van at the main library auditorium for this preventive health benefit. This will allow all Americans 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare, both Traditional and Advantage Medicare Plans, to be eligible for an annual wellness visit at no cost.
“At Clara Maass Medical Center, we are committed to building healthier communities,” said Mary Ellen Clyne, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Clara Maass Medical Center. “This project will do more than keep us present in local neighborhoods – it gives Medicare-eligible adults, who are ages 65 and older, an opportunity to have Annual Wellness Visits with no co-pay, deductible or coinsurance fee.”
The WAVE program (Wellness Assessment Van for Elders) is funded by a generous grant from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey. Although annual wellness visits are covered and recommended by Medicare since 2011, statistics show only approximately 10 percent of seniors actually receive the benefit each year. With this implementation, all participating parties hope to increase the number as a way of helping improve health outcomes.
“Montclair Public Library is delighted to host the WAVE van. Wellness and libraries are a natural fit. Our books and our resources build healthy minds and our partners like Clara Maas can help our patrons maintain healthy bodies,” said Jennifer Kaari, Community Services and Family Literacy Librarian at MPL.
The WAVE visit consists of an individual’s overall physical health, a review of their vital signs, health habits and risk factors and simple screenings including memory, heart and nerve functions, balance, bone density, circulation and mental health. Each senior at this event will have a consultation with a physician or nurse practitioner, as well as a summary of the visit. Participants will also receive a easy-to-understand and personalized health plan, to ameliorate the review process for themselves and/or the senior’s own primary care physician.
This WAVE visit does not require doctor’s referrals or pre-approval from an insurance provider. Simply bring your Medicare card as eligibility is confirmed before the actual visit begins. All seniors are encouraged to bring a list of their current medications, supplements and vitamins.
Registration is strongly recommended. To register for an appointment, call (973) 744-0599 ext 2235 or email reference@montclair.bccls.org.
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