Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Better Health Class Offered in Summer

Grinnell Regional Medical Center Public Health will offer the “Better Choices, Better Health” workshop at the end of July. This six-week program provides individuals who have chronic conditions, as well as their caregivers, the tools to better manage their health and symptoms. This session will be held on six Wednesdays, beginning July 30 in the Montgomery Lounge at Mayflower Community, Broad St., Grinnell.
“This program provides movement, nutrition and socialization tips and much more for daily living with a chronic disease or pain,” says Patty Hinrichs, Grinnell Regional Public Health director. “We have a lot of fun in the class as people work toward a goal of independent and safe living.”
The program developed by Stanford University focuses on ways to improve self-management of chronic diseases. Examples of chronic conditions include arthritis, breathing problems or lung disease, stroke, depression or anxiety, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, chronic pain, and cancer.
The class meets every Wednesday, July 30 to Sept. 9. Each session is two and a half hours, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Over the course of these workshops, individuals will learn techniques and practical methods to deal with pain, fatigue, and isolation; decision-making skills; exercise options and established action plans and goals for physical activity; better nutrition planning and eating choices for better health; communication techniques to begin conversations with physicians and family members about health concerns; tools to manage medications and symptoms; and self-management skills to lead a more productive life.
The class is taught by peer leaders who guide participants as they create their own action plans for improved health. The $20 fee covers the cost of the book and materials. Scholarships are available. For information and to register call the Grinnell Regional Public Health office at 641-236-2385.


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