Healthy lifestyles and behaviors are known to impact older adults’ quality of life by maintaining:
Strength, flexibility and balance that help prevent falls
Healthy eating habits to prevent or manage chronic diseases
Physical activity to manage weight, support heart health
Social outlets to prevent isolation and depression
The Council on Aging offers and 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. Adult patients or clients may be referred (or use this self-refer form) to DPP if they meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years old and
Be overweight (body mass index ≥25; ≥23 if Asian) and
Have no previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes and
Have a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year
HbA1C (5.7-6.4)
Fasting blood glucose (100-125 mg/dL) or
Previous Gestational Diabetes (may be self-reported) or
Positive Screening for prediabetes based on the prediabetes Risk Score Test 5 or higher: DPP Risk Test
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. There is a small fee for a textbook; scholarships are available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
