Part of the Masonic Homes' Outreach Program's mission is education and support. In meeting that charge, the staff has provided various programs at lodge meetings and other Masonic functions across the Commonwealth throughout the four years of its existence. Last November, the Masonic Homes Outreach Program hosted a "Community Health Night" as part of an evening program offered by the Abraham C. Treichler Lodge, No. 682, Elizabethtown. The event offered education and information to the members of the Lodge and to those in the local communities who accepted the open invitation to attend.

Coordinating the efforts of Masonic Homes' employees and representatives from local service providers, the Outreach Program sponsored the evening's program. The Alzheimer's Association, Hospice of Lancaster County, the Central Pennsylvania Oncology Group, and the Lancaster County Office of Aging joined the Masonic Health Care Center representatives in a common effort to meet the needs of those in attendance. Nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, volunteer services, the Masonic Homes' Alzheimer's Unit, Adult Daily Living Center, and the new Respite Cottage were all represented. Blood pressure screenings were provided throughout the evening. Video presentations on depression and caregiving were shown, and the Central Pennsylvania Oncology Group provided self-breast examination education to the ladies in attendance.

The evening served as an opportunity to bring many persons together with the goal of sharing information. It is hoped that those who attended left the Masonic Homes better informed and confident about where they would turn for help should the need arise. It was an informative evening. A similar event could be presented in your own community or lodge. If interested, call the Masonic Outreach Program at 1-800-462-7664 or for further information about the program click here for the Outreach page .