Every eight seconds, another U.S. citizen turns 50. The aging of the population will reshape the health care system, just as it is reshaping the face of the U.S. population. To address the increasing needs of the aging population, Logan Regional Medical Center has introduced a new program for people who are ages 50 or better. Called Senior Friends, the program provides benefits and services that are focused on health and wellness.

“Empowering people who are 50 and better to live healthier happier lives is the goal of our new Senior Friends program,” said Kevin Fowler, CEO of Logan Regional Medical Center. “Having greater access to health information and local experts is the cornerstone for a lifetime of good health. That’s why the Senior Friends program was created.”

“Thanks to medical advances over the past 50 years – from polio and measles vaccines to heart surgery and organ transplants – more of us are living longer than ever. In fact, the wave of aging U.S. ‘Baby Boomers’ - 78 million people born between 1946 and 1964 – is reshaping the health care system forever. Every day, almost 11,000 Boomers turn 50 – that’s one every eight seconds. By 2030, the 65+ population will nearly double as a result of the aging Baby Boomers. When the last of the Boomers reaches retirement age, almost 20 percent of the US population will be 65 or older compared to less than 13 percent today,” he said.

Part of the National Association of Senior Friends, local programs are provided through sponsoring hospitals – like Logan Regional, which are affiliated with LifePoint Hospitals. Through their local sponsoring facility, members have access to health information, resources and experiences customized just for them and their communities. A number of national benefits are provided to members in addition to the ones available at the local hospital.

Cindy Fleming and Carol Cole will serve as the Senior Friends program coordinators. “Exceeding the expectations of people who are entering the ‘prime of their lives,’ ages 50+, is one of our main priorities with this new program,” Fleming said. “We’re looking forward to creating relationships that will help make our community healthier.”

Membership is open to people who are ages 50 or better. Dues are $15 a year, or $26 for two years. For a membership application, people may visit the hospitals website at loganregionalmedicalcenter.com or call Fleming at 304-831-1556 or Cole at 304-831-1637.

• Local Benefits — Benefits that are most valuable to the members are those that are available through their local sponsoring hospital. At Logan Regional, the following benefits are being offered: Free Health Screenings; Health and Wellness Seminars; Subscription to Friends magazine; Free meals for spouse of hospitalized member; Notification of Flu shot clinics; Notification of upcoming health fairs and events; Member discounts and Volunteer opportunities

National partners provide discounts and services in the areas of health and wellness as well as travel and home services. Among the national benefits members have access to are these: Health & Wellness Opportunities - Free or Discounted Services; Friends magazine – The national members-only magazine is filled with timely features on health and wellness, travel and more; Prescription Medicines – Discounts between 10-50 percent on most prescription drugs at more than 60,000 pharmacies and through mail order and internet providers. Free delivery and medication management services through another company; Dental Care Discount Plan– Members can save up to 20-60 percent on most preventive dental procedures by purchasing this discount plan; Security System – Help at the push of a button during medical emergencies, 24 hours a day through this personal alert system. These services, which are discounted for Senior Friends members, can provide a more independent lifestyle; Caregiver’s Support – Discounts on educational videos such as The Family Guide to Long-Term Care and The Family Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease and Health and Wellness – Discounts on fitness videos and other exercise products.

• Travel Opportunities: Auto Rental – Car rental discounts are available for members from three nationally known companies.; Hotels – More than 15 national hotels offer discounts to our members.

Home & Other Opportunities; Flowers and Gifts Discounts; Moving Assistance Discounts and Book Discounts.

Bottom line: there will be more people than ever before enjoying their later years, but they’ll be managing more chronic health conditions and therefore utilizing more health care services: More than six of every 10 Boomers will be managing more than one chronic health condition; More than one out of every three Boomers – over 21 million – will be considered obese; One of every four Boomers – 14 million – will be living with diabetes; Nearly one out of every two Boomers – more than 26 million – will be living with arthritis; Eight times more knee replacements will be performed than today.

“We believe that by learning more about their local hospital, its services and healthcare professionals, as well as having access to resources and programs to improve their health, people over 50 can look forward to living better, not just longer,” said Fleming.