Senior center's wellness screening helps prepare for future

The Kalispell Senior Center hosted the first comprehensive wellness screening for seniors Oct. 29. 

Scores of senior citizens turned out for mental health acuity tests, balance and fall risk assessments and other health screenings.

Khit Harding, director of the senior center, said Kalispell was gathering support for Flathead County’s future.

“Seniors will represent almost 25 percent of the overall population of Flathead Valley by 2020, a mere six years away,” she said. “And although our demographic continues to increase because of retirees and the generally aging population, we still do not have the support of our communities needed to continue to live, work and play in our homes and independently.”

It’s Harding’s assertion that Kalispell should be as active and supportive as the senior centers in Whitefish and Columbia Falls. But even with the supposed lack of support, the event was a booming success.

Jennifer Allen, who works at the North Valley Hospital Embrace mental health program, said she screened more than 30 seniors for mental health issues.

“The screenings identified several people with severe problems with depression and anxiety,” she said. “Each participant was provided information about seeking help through a primary care physician or private therapist.”

Flathead County Commissioner Cal Scott was in attendance, and said the seniors of the Flathead deserved all the community could give back to them.

Harding said while this was the first screening event held at a senior center, she hoped that other cities would have periodic screenings as well.