Senior Center hopes to be awash in red on Friday

The Sedalia Senior Center hopes to see red Friday during its annual Go Red for Women Day.

“Go Red for Women is an annual heart disease awareness day,” said Tami Hesseltine, Sedalia Senior Center County Services Director. “It’s important to host the event every year because I don’t think many people realize that heart disease still causes one in three deaths in women. More than 422,000 women die from heart disease every year.”

Hesseltine noted symptoms of a heart attack are different in women than they are in men. According to the American Heart Association, like men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women also experience shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting and back or jaw pain when having a heart attack.

“We’re also going to a show a short, three-minute video called “Just a Little Heart Attack” from the American Heart Association every half hour or so,” Hesseltine said.

Seniors are also encouraged to dress in their best red outfits and compete to be named the most spirited male and female.

“We host a Go Red Day every year because we know how important it is to get the word out about heart disease, both in men and women,” Hesseltine said. “We’d love everyone to come out and learn more about how they can avoid become a statistic.”

The Senior Center is also hosting its annual tax assistance program, starting this week. Volunteers will assist seniors to fill out their Missouri property tax credit rebate, commonly known as the circuit breaker rebate. According to the Senior Center, it’s not necessary that seniors file federal or state income taxes in order to receive a rebate.

“The volunteers are specially trained by our Care Connection Staff in Warrensburg,” Hesseltine said. “Last year they provided 700 hours of tax assistance to Sedalia area seniors.”

Those wishing to participate in the program must bring a statement of Social Security payments made in 2011, which was mailed in early January, as well as all other statements of income including interest, dividends or retirement. Those who owned a home for part or all of 2011 should bring 2011 city and county real estate tax receipts and proof of rend paid.

Seniors must make an appointment for the tax assistance program by calling the Senior Center at 826-0713.