Health Programs for Seniors in Clearfield County
Recently several seniors from the Coalport Center for Active Living graduated from Mature Resources Area Agency on Aging’s A Matter of Balance class which is specifically-designed to reduce the fear of falling while improving activity levels among older adults. (Provided photo)
By Julie Rae Rickard
CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County’s Mature Resources Area Agency on Aging is offering many programs this year to help Pennsylvania seniors.
By doing so, the organization is supporting the Department of Aging’s mission promoting “healthier lifestyles among older Pennsylvanians” to improve their “quality of life,” and ultimately, reduce overall healthcare costs, according to a recent press release.
“The agency’s goal is to empower older adults with knowledge and direction to age and live well, by providing research-based programs within the Clearfield County community. Its health and wellness programs seek to promote healthier lifestyles for people aged 60 and older.”
One of these is the popular A Matter of Balance program which is specifically-designed to reduce the fear of falling by improving balance and activity levels.
It includes eight, two-hour classes for a group of eight to 12 people led by Connie Harris, a coach trained for this instruction.
“The program enables participants to reduce the fear of falling by learning to view falls as controllable, setting goals for increasing activity levels, making small changes to reduce fall risks at home and exercise to increase strength and balance.”
During the class, participants will discuss mutual problem solving, do role-playing activities, and have exercise and assertiveness training with a few homework assignments.
They will learn about the importance of exercise for preventing falls and repeat exercises designed to improve strength, coordination and balance.
“Additional topics include home safety, assertiveness, developing positive strategies for change, reducing barriers to exercise, identifying physical risk factors for falls, personal action planners, recognizing misconceptions about falls, and moving from self-defeating to self-motivating thoughts,” the release explains.
One graduate stated, “A Matter of Balance was helpful. It made me aware of what can be done to ensure safety at home. The class provided a time to meet and discuss concerns with others. I wish we had even more exercise activities at each class. [It was] great to share and learn,”
There are several other health and wellness options offered by MRAAA at various locations throughout the county.
Chronic Disease Self-Management improves the health status of individuals with chronic health conditions. It is an interactive workshop for those living with one or more physical or mental chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, or depression, according to a previous article.
Participants learn skills to manage their conditions on a day-to-day basis including exercise, healthy eating, management of symptoms such as pain, fatigue, sleep issues, shortness of breath, stress and depression, weight loss, and communication skills. Core self-management skills taught include action planning, problem solving, and decision making.
“Wellness Initiative for Senior Education celebrates healthy aging and educates older adults on a variety of topics including safe medication use, the aging process, communicating effectively with healthcare providers, and strategies for making healthy lifestyle choices,” according to the National Council on Aging.
These classes will look at risk factors and behaviors older adults should avoid to stay healthy, investigate how alcohol and various medications impact seniors differently in an attempt to avoid misuse of drugs, and will even celebrate this exciting stage of life.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers provides information to assist the caregivers of family members with chronic conditions, children with special needs and even grandparents currently raising their grandchildren with special needs. It will help them manage their negative emotions and focus on ways to care for themselves while still caring for others.
Additional programs are Diabetes Self-Management, Chronic Pain Self-Management, Healthy Steps for Older Adults, Bingocize, Arthritis Foundation Aquatics and Healthy Ideas.
“Participation in these programs can lead to a measurable improvement in quality of life and may even reduce overall healthcare costs,” according to the release.
The goals of these programs are to:
• Abolish the myth that inevitable functional decline comes with age.
• Empower older adults with the information needed to age well.
• Support older adults in making lifestyle changes to improve overall health.
• Reduce the utilization of the healthcare system.
The MRAA operates Centers for Active Living in Clearfield (Presbyterian Church at 119 North Second St.), Coalport (961 Forest St., Coalport), DuBois (120 West Park Ave.), Houtzdale (40 Terrace Drive), and Kylertown (70 Senior Drive) where they provide a meal, and have bingo, exercise classes and other social activities for seniors.
For more information on any of these programs, you can contact Mature Resources Area Agency on Aging at 814-765-2696, or check out their website www.mraa.life, and Facebook page.