Rite Aid Caregiver Expo attracts large turnout

PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh caregivers took advantage of the Rite Aid Caregiver Expo here on Saturday, visiting Rite Aid’s booth to consult with one of the chain’s many local pharmacists, including several from the recently-acquired Eckerd stores, on a variety of health issues.

At least two of the patients who visited the Convention Center that day were referred to their general practitioners, one of the Rite Aid pharmacists on site reported, in response to the free blood pressure screenings offered at the Rite Aid booth.

“When you look at the caregiver segment, it’s growing exponentially,” commented John Learish, Rite Aid senior vice president of marketing. “This is one of ways we demonstrate our commitment to our vision of being the customer’s first choice for health and wellness. We want them to be able to come to us, not just for the products that we offer. It’s the extra services, the extra information, the resources that we provide that help them manage their health.”

Local television celebrity Jennifer Antkowiak made an appearance at the Expo, reminding caregivers to take care of themselves in addition to their loved ones. Other presentations included: Paul Alper, director of Hamacher Resource Group’s Caregiver Programs, a program that helps relieve the financial burden on family caregiving with cash-back offers on certain products; Rite Aid pharmacist Tom Tritinger identified the resources available at any Rite Aid that could help Pittsburgh-area residents identify the best Medicare plan for them; and Aaron Difillippo, also a Rite Aid pharmacist, shared how a comprehensive medication therapy management program could aid caregivers. 

The Rite Aid Caregiver Expo included the following resources for local caregivers:

• Pharmacists, financial planners and legal counsel available to answer questions and provide helpful hints
• Representatives from hospice care and nursing home facilities
• Caregiving associations
• Advice from experts on how to juggle professional and caregiving responsibilities
• Demonstrations and information on smoking cessation, health and beauty products and healthy eating
• Information on basic care, disease states and recent research finds
• Free blood pressure screenings
• Free product and medication samples

The Rite Aid Caregiver Expo was hosted by Rite Aid, in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline and local media partner Trib Total Media. The event was organized by Drug Store News.

Rite Aid operates 175 stores in the Pittsburgh metro area and approximately 611 in Pennsylvania.

Click on the link to see a Q&A from the show floor: Helping care for others: interview with John Learish and view photos from the Caregiver Expo by clicking on this link.