Steve Harmic
Mar 14, 2023
Three programs to be offered this spring include A Matter of Balance, Chronic Disease Self-Management, and Diabetes Self-Management.
CLEARFIELD, PA. – As part of continuing efforts to expand services to seniors in the community, Mature Resources Area Agency on Aging (MRAAA) will offer a variety of Health and Wellness programs this spring. These programs are free and open to the public.
Health and Wellness Coordinator Bobbie Johnson is reviving a selection of in-person programs that were put on pause during the pandemic. The programs are aimed at helping seniors stay healthy, safe, and active.
“At the core of our mission at the Area Agency on Aging is our objective to help seniors live active, fulfilling lives,” Johnson said. “These programs offer the knowledge and tools older adults can use to mange certain conditions, allowing them to focus on enjoying life.”
Three programs to be offered this spring include A Matter of Balance, Chronic Disease Self-Management, and Diabetes Self-Management.
A Matter of Balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. The program is designed to benefit older adults who are concerned about falls, have sustained falls in the past, restrict activities because of concerns about falling, are interested in improving flexibility, balance, and strength, and are age 60 or older.
Participants learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. This class is planned from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. March 27, through May 15, at the Hyde Wesleyan Church, 1215 Riverview Road, Clearfield.
Chronic Disease Self-Management is proven to improve the health status of individuals with chronic health conditions. It is an interactive workshop for those living with one or more physical or mental chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, or depression. Participants learn skills to manage their conditions on a day-to-day basis including exercise, healthy eating, management of symptoms such as pain, fatigue, sleep issues, shortness of breath, stress and depression, weight loss, and communication skills. Core self-management skills taught include action planning, problem solving, and decision making. Classes will meet from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday from April 5, through May 10, at the Clearfield YMCA meeting room.
The Diabetes Self-Management program provides information and skills for people to manage their diabetes and related conditions. Participants will learn how to eat healthy, be physically active, monitor blood sugar levels, take medication, problem solve, reduce risk for other health conditions, cope with the emotional side of diabetes, and improve health and quality of life. This class will meet from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. each Tuesday, April 11, through May 16, in the conference room at the Susquehanna Wellness Clinic, 1924 Daisy Street (rear) Suite A. in Clearfield.
For more information or to register for any of these courses, contact Bobbie Johnson at the MRAAA at 814-765-2696, ext. 360, or bjohnson@matureresources.life