The Council on Aging supports effective evidence-based classes that encourage healthy lifestyle activities and enable older adults to live with greater quality of life. These classes include topics like:
- Chronic disease prevention
- Chronic disease and chronic pain self-management
- Physical activity and fall prevention
Here is a brief overview and dates/times of the health education classes available in the tri-county area:
A year-long lifestyle change program for adults with pre-diabetes or those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Participants learn about tools and strategies for healthy eating and being physically active in a group setting. There is no charge for the program but you need to pre-register.
Groups meet with a trained lifestyle coach to learn skills make lasting changes. These changes include:
- Losing a little bit of weight
- Getting more active
- Dealing with stress
You will get support from other people who are trying to make the same changes. Together you can find ways to conquer hurdles and celebrate progress.
The group meets about 30 times over one year. Each meeting lasts one hour. Your lifestyle coach will teach a lesson and lead a group conversation.
| Location | Start Date | Contact Name Phone/Email |
|---|---|---|
| Central Oregon | January 25, 2022: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Sarah Worthington (541) 322-7446 sarahw@deschutes.org |
| La Pine | January 27, 2022: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | M Lindy (541) 876-1848 Mlindley@lapinehealth.org |
| Interest form: | ||
Developed at the Stanford University Patient Education Center, these classes assist those who live with chronic conditions to become good self-managers of those condition(s). Each program is facilitated by two leaders and meets weekly for 2-1/2 hours for six weeks.
Information Session: January 26, 2022 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Call (541) 322-7446 with any questions
Classes begin February 2, 2022: Register here
The free Walk with Ease is a self directed 6 week program from Oregon State University. There are 3 steps to getting started:
- Register: info.pace.oregonstate.edu/walk
- Receive your book via mail or download the Kindle version.
- Read the book and use it as a tool to track your progress.
Over the next 6 weeks OSU will send you weekly emails to guide you through the program. It’s okay if you don’t meet your walking goals at the very beginning, it can take a while to develop a new habit! It’s important that you’re taking the first step now.
Tai Chi is a graceful form of exercise that involves a series of movements, which are performed in a slow, focused manner combined with controlled breathing. It is a low impact activity. Tai Chi is shown to improve balance & mobility, increase leg strength & flexibility and reduce the fear of falling.
Tai Chi for Health, Beginning Tai Chi, Wushu
- Classes for all ages
- Call 541-639-8898 for details.
Tai Chi for Health
- Call 541-788-7537 or email activelifetaichi@gmail.com for more information.
- Jenny Sheldon, Instructor
Trinity Episcopal Church, 469 NW Wall, Bend, OR
- Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30 – 10:45 am
- No fee
- Tom Jerome, Instructor
- Call 541-382-5542 for details
Unitarian Church, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend, OR 97703
- Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
- $80 a month
- Grandmaster Franklin Wood, Instructor
La Pine Parks & Rec, 16405 1st St, La Pine, OR
- Mondays & Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- $30 a month
- Grandmaster Franklin Wood, Instructor
Virtual classes are held simultaneously Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, following the regular class schedules. The virtual classes are free of cost to students. To register for virtual classes, go to www.grandmasterfranklin.com
You’ll find other classes for older adults at the Bend Senior Center. Call 541-388-1133 for details.
Based on research from Oregon State University’s Bone Research Laboratory, this class is designed to gradually increase strength and improve balance. The goal is to reduce the risk of falls that may result in osteoporosis-related fractures by improving strength, balance and mobility, and reducing bone loss.
BEND
Central Oregon Community College, Boyle Education Center, 2600 NW College Way, (541) 383-7270
- Date/time TBD
- Registration is required. Sign up online at: https://www.enrole.com/cocc/
REDMOND
Central Oregon Community College – Redmond Campus, 2030 Southeast College Loop Building 1, 2248 SE College Loop, (541) 383-7270
- Date/time TBD
- Registration is required. Sign up online at: https://www.enrole.com/cocc/
SISTERS
Sisters Athletic Club, 1001 Desperado Trail, (541) 549-6878
- Date/time TBD
- Registration is required. Sign up online at: https://www.enrole.com/cocc/
Adapted from Boston University Roybal Center by Maine’s Partnership for Healthy Aging and Oregon Health Science University, this workshop teaches practical coping strategies to reduce the fear of falling.
SISTERS
Sisters/Camp Sherman Fire District, 13033 SW Forest Service Road #1419 – Camp Sherman (541) 549-0771
- Date/time TBD
MADRAS
Jefferson County Senior Center, 860 SW Madison, (541) 475-1148
- Date/time TBD
The national FallProof™ balance and mobility program is designed to assess and treat balance-related problems.
Next Class is at the First Presbyterian Church of Bend, 230 NE 9th St. Bend, OR 97701
- DATE: Wednesday, January 5, 2022
- TIME: 10:30am-11:30am
The WISE (wellness initiative for senior education) Program is a substance abuse prevention and wellness program targeting older adults created by the New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN). WISE promotes health through six education sessions that address high-risk behaviors in older adults.
The WISE Program is designed to help older adults celebrate healthier aging, make healthier lifestyle choices and avoid substance abuse. The curriculum is designed to take place once per week over a six-week period. Each of the six lessons is about two hours in length, not including breaks or refreshments.
REDMOND
Redmond Senior Center, 325 NW Dogwood Avenue, (541) 548-6325
- Date/time TBD
- Registration is required. Sign up by calling (541) 322-7435
*More information about the WISE Program*
