Living Well classes allow seniors to be proactive in health care

Intermountain Catholic

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Seniors learn healthy and safe exercises as well as healthy eating habits, guided imagery techniques for relaxation techniques and how to communicate effectively in the series of Living Well classes.

SALT LAKE CITY — A series of classes to help seniors plagued with chronic pain is being sponsored by the Salt Lake County Aging Services Health Aging Program. The program allows people to become proactive in their health care management.

During the six-week course, participants will be taught relaxation techniques, guided imagery techniques, how to communicate effectively, healthy eating habits, safe exercises and will work on action plans every week.

"The classes are taught by volunteers, who themselves, suffer from chronic illnesses," said DeeDee Roboto, volunteer coordinator at Salt Lake County Aging Services for the Healthy Aging Program, she added that the program is from the Stanford University and is scripted so lay people can teach the course.

"The purpose of what they do during the six weeks is to give the participants the tools and techniques to be able to positively manage the symptoms and some of the emotions they might experience with having long-term or chronic health conditions," said Kathy Hoenig, health educator at Salt Lake County Aging Services with the Healthy Aging Program. "There is a lot of mutual sharing and support that goes on during the classes between the participants and the instructor. From the feedback we have received, people feel this is a positive experience and the program is extremely worthwhile. Participants will also receive a resource book and a relaxation CD with guided imagery."

The program focuses on people who are 60 years or older, Hoenig said, "but this same program ‘Living Well,’ is also being implemented into other programs throughout the state that serve people of all ages. People can find out where these programs are being held by contacting the Utah Department of Health Arthritis Program at www.health.utah.gov/arthritis."

The classes, which are free, will be held on Wednesdays April 14 through May 19 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Saint Catherine Parish and Newman Center, 170 South University, Salt Lake City.