Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Education programs are available to help older adults prevent and/or manage chronic diseases and promote healthier lifestyles. Evidence-based educational opportunities are offered on the following topics:
The Healthy Living Workshop is designed to help people with ongoing health problems manage them more effectively. Anyone with a chronic condition such as arthritis, heart disease, asthma, diabetes or any other on-going health problem should participate. Caregivers or family members who serve as caregivers are welcomed. Topics covered include: nutrition, better fitness, goal setting, dealing with difficult emotions, understanding meds, and managing symptoms.
The Healthy Living with Diabetes Workshop is geared towards Type 2 diabetics and/or prediabetics. Participants will learn how to deal with symptoms of diabetes, hypo/hyperglycemia, stress, depression, exercise, healthy eating, appropriate use of medications, and working with your health care provider.
The Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop covers the following topics that give techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep, appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance, appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals, nutrition, pacing activity and rest, and how to evaluate new treatments.
Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.
WISE (Wellness Initiative for Senior Education) - This is an evidence-based health and wellness program targeting older adults. WISE promotes health through education concerning high-risk behaviors in older adults. The WISE Program is designed to help older adults celebrate healthy aging, make healthy lifestyle choices, and avoid substance abuse. WISE provides valuable education to older adults on topics which include health and wellness, medication use and misuse, stress management, depression, and substance abuse.
ISMP’s America’s Medicine Cabinet – This training program was developed by Institute for Safe Medicine Practices and American Pharmacists Association. The focus of this program is to educate consumers on the importance of medication and being an informed consumer. The program provides education on the significance of medication misuse. It discusses some of the more common contributing factors to medication misuse, provides information on proper medication storage and disposal, and ways to work with your pharmacist to prevent medication misuse.
Remembering When: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults - This is a comprehensive program developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program objective is to explain and review with older adults the 16 fire and fall prevention messages. The overall objective is to help reduce/eliminate the number of injuries/hospitalizations/deaths of older adults in the community from fires and falls.
Opioids and Seniors Don't Mix! - Provides information specifically about opioids and the ways these drugs work in an aging body. This educational session discusses the benefits and risks of opioid use in seniors with regards to health and mental well-being.