By Laura Mazur
Community Post
A variety of health care options are available in the area. Grand Lake Health System and Mercer Health united on Saturday morning to present their options to the community at the annual spring health fair.

Held at the Galleria, in Celina, people attended for information and mini-consultations on health concerns and sought the help that was available through both health systems.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders, which come about from performance of repetitive tasks and account for more than 50 percent of occupational health illnesses in the U.S., was one booth presented by Grand Lake Health System.
At this station, therapists assessed visitors' hands and wrists for symptoms of illnesses such as carpal tunnel syndrome, DeQuervain's syndrome and trigger finger, which are the most common ailments, as well as the three easiest to test. Tennis elbow is another common ailment for which therapists treat patients.
“Tingling at night is a typical sign and after seeing us, they might look into seeing a physician,” said Shawn Kill, occupational therapy assistant for Grand Lake Health System.
A part of the booth was not only consultation, but testing of strength of how many pounds a person can grip with each hand. People were sometimes astounded at the unexpected strength they indeed did have.
Ann Hemmelgarn, of Home Care at Mercer Health, was one of a number of staff members representing the partnering health system. She spoke to visitors of the fair about social services, medical equipment and a variety of home health care services offered.
“There are many different services and most Medicare plans pay 80 percent,” she explained.
Health concerns are why many people checked out the fair on Saturday morning. Others just wanted to keep informed.
Roxine Beals, of Celina, said she seeing the fair advertised spurred her attention.
“I like going to these kinds of places. I like the fact I get all of this health information without going to the doctor,” she said.
Beals was one of more than 400 people to walk through the doors of the Galleria during the fair.
“It was an outstanding response,” said Anne Larger, Community Outreach Coordinator, of Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, in St. Marys, an affiliate of Grand Lake Health System. “With a variety of screenings, they can help to detect something in the early stages when its treatable.”