High Desert Medical Group, CEO Dr. Richard Merkin, Host Over 4,000 Seniors at 19th Annual Senior Health Expo, Discuss Savings Using Electronic Medical ...( LANCASTER Calif. Oct. 7 /- Dr. Richar...),Health

LANCASTER, Calif., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Richard Merkin, High Desert Medical Group and Heritage Health Care hosted over 4000 seniors at their 19th annual Senior Expo October 1 at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. Seniors lined up prior to the 9:00 am start, ready for free health screenings including screenings for bone density, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body fat, vision screenings and of course, seasonal flu shots. The theme for this year's Senior Expo was "Life in the Fabulous 50s." June Lockhart, star of "Lassie" and Tony Dow and Elinor Donahue, stars of "Leave it to Beaver" came out to chat with the seniors as well, remarking on their long television careers and on being seniors themselves.

There was food, music and plenty of entertainment, including a senior talent show. Charles Towner was named 2009 Senior of the Year for his incredible dedication to the communities of Lancaster and Palmdale. Mr. Towner is a long-time volunteer, known in the community as "Mr. Christmas" picking up and delivering Christmas trees to needy families and organizations that work with needy families. He was among the 5 finalists, all wonderful volunteers in their own right. Dr. Anthony Dulgeroff, assistant Medical Director for High Desert Medical Group, applauded all the volunteers, noting, " Our volunteer program is very active and we have found a direct correlation to increased volunteering and community service contributing to longevity, wellness and overall improved health." According to the Corporation for Volunteering and Community Service, the benefits of community service and volunteering lower hypertension, reduce the risk of heart disease, lower the rate of depression, decrease chronic pain, lower blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis. In fact, they found that those who volunteer are in better health than those who work because they feel they are more fulfilled. According to a study Duke University did, those who did volunteer work
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