Healthy Aging Classes

Interested? Email Rosanna McLain at rmmclain@familyservicecc.org to learn about or register for any of our Healthy Aging classes.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

Purpose: The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is designed to help people with any long-term health issue to become better managers of their chronic health conditions and their effect on the other aspects of life.

This program was developed at Stanford University. Studies have shown that people who have taken the program generally have a better quality of life, generally utilize health care less, generally have fewer symptoms such as shortness of breath and depression, and exercise more.

Target Audience: Adults, especially those 60+, with one or more chronic health conditions; also appropriate spouses and others living with someone with a chronic health condition. People with all kinds of chronic health conditions face similar concerns and problems and are welcome.

Class Structure: This is a 6 week program of 2 ½ hour meetings with a small group in a classroom setting.

This is an inter-active program in which you will learn ways to take better care of your health condition, to carry out normal activities, and to manage the changes in roles, relationships, and emotions related to having a chronic health condition. The program includes information, group discussion, sharing ideas, problem-solving, decision making, making personal action plans. You will receive a copy of the book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions to keep for further information and future reference.

Topics: fatigue • mind/body connection • dealing with difficult emotions • physical activity • preventing falls and improving balance • pain management • healthy eating • better breathing • communication skills • medication usage • relaxation • dealing with depression • making informed treatment decisions • working with your health care team

Diabetes Self-Management Program

Purpose: The Diabetes Self-Management Program is designed to help people with diabetes to become better managers of their diabetes and its effect on the other aspects of their lives.

People with diabetes must deal not only with their disease(s), but also with the impact these have on their lives and emotions. This program was developed at Stanford University. Studies have shown that people who have taken the program made positive changes in health status, health behaviors, and their ability to manage their diabetes. The content was developed based on focus groups with diabetes educators and people with diabetes and meets the content standards of both the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

Target Audience: Adults, especially those 60+, with diabetes; also appropriate spouses and others living with someone with diabetes.

Class Structure: This is a 6 week program of 2½ hour meetings with a small group in a classroom setting.

This is an inter-active program in which you will learn ways to take better care of your health, to carry out normal activities, and to manage the changes in roles, relationships, and emotions related to having diabetes. The program includes information, group discussion, sharing ideas, problem-solving, decision making, making personal action plans. You will receive a copy of the book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions to keep for further information and future reference.

Topics: what is diabetes • monitoring • healthy eating and menu planning • dealing with stress • preventing or delaying complications • making decisions • physical activity • dealing with difficult emotions • depression • positive thinking • relaxation • communication skills • strategies for sick days • foot care • medication • working with your health care professional and health care organization

Matter of Balance

Purpose: Matter of Balance is designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels of older adults who have concerns about falling by helping people view falls and the fear of falling as controllable.

This award-winning program helps you increase your safe activity levels and find personal, practical improvements in your environment to reduce the risk of falling. The program is based on research conducted at Boston University. Their research found that a fear of falling – because of past falls or concerns about the negative consequences of possible future falls - can lead to inactivity which can, in fact, increase the possibility of falls.

Target Audience: Adults 60+ who are ambulatory, able to problem solve, concerned about falling, and interested in improving flexibility, balance, strength and activity level; spouses and others living with someone concerned about falls.

Class Structure: This is an 8-week program of 2-hour meetings with a small group of seniors in a classroom setting with space for exercising.

You will learn to set goals for increasing your activity levels, make changes to your environment to reduce fall risks at home, find ways to feel safer in the community, and practice exercises to increase strength, flexibility and balance.

The program includes group discussion, problem-solving, skill building, assertiveness training, exercise training, videos, sharing practical solutions with others, a few homework assignments, and a group consultation with a physical therapist.

Topics: identifying misconceptions about falls • increasing assertiveness • assessing home safety • identifying physical risk factors for falls • reducing barriers to exercise • moving from self-defeating to self-motivating thoughts about falls • developing personal action planners • developing positive strategies for change.

PEARLS: Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding LiveS

Purpose: PEARLS is a free, in-home counseling program that teaches you the skills to take action and make lasting changes in order to lead a happier and healthier life.

Eligibility: People age 60+ in Champaign County

Program Structure: With PEARLS you will receive:

  • A series of 6-8 visits in your home over the course of four to five months by a trained PEARLS coach.

  • Help identifying issues in your life and possible solutions

  • Ideas for improving how you feel

  • Follow-up, support, and encouragement

  • The skills to learn to problem solve issues on your own

Stress-Busting for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia

Purpose: The Stress-Busting Program for Family is designed to improve the quality of life of family caregivers who are providing care to a loved one with dementia.

The program was developed by Dr. Sharon Lewis and the UT Health San Antonio. The SBP meets the Administration on Aging’s highest criteria for evidence-based programs and has a proven track record of success in helping family caregivers to reduce stress, depression, and caregiver’s burden while increasing caregiver’s quality of life and sense of control.

Target Audience: Family caregivers of adults age 60+ with dementia.

Class Structure: This is a 9-week program of 90-minute meetings with other family caregivers in a classroom setting.

The program provides support, problem solving, education, and stress management. You will

  • Learn about stress and its effects;

  • Practice a variety of stress management techniques

  • Develop problem solving skills

You’ll be enlightened and recharged as the facilitators engage the group in learning how to recognize your personal stressors and to address them in ways that are healthier and more personally effective.

Topics: stress and its effects • creating a relaxation environment • dealing with challenging behaviors of people with dementia • loss, grief, and depression • family relationships • humor • positive thinking • taking time for your health • choosing a path of wellness • stress management techniques including relaxation breathing, meditation, imagery, journaling, massage, art, music, and aromatherapy.