LIHU‘E — If your list of New Year’s resolutions reads like the typical list — lose 10 pounds, exercise more, eat healthier — and you are living with a chronic health condition, get ready to put your New Year’s resolutions
LIHU‘E — If your list of New Year’s resolutions reads like the typical list — lose 10 pounds, exercise more, eat healthier — and you are living with a chronic health condition, get ready to put your New Year’s resolutions into action, a county news release states.
Another six-week series of interactive workshops entitled “Ke Ola Pono: Healthy Living” is being offered to seniors 60 years and older and their caregivers by the Agency on Elderly Affairs in partnership with the Kaua‘i District Health Office.
To gain maximum benefit from the program, participants should plan on attending all six sessions.
The workshops will be held at Sun Village in Lihu‘e on Wednesdays, from 2:30 to 5 p.m., starting Feb. 10.
The cost of the workshops is $12 for seniors 60 years and older, and it includes a companion book and a relaxation CD/audio tape.
Registration is limited to 16 participants and their caregivers. Scholarships are available.
Participants will be introduced to practical skills for healthy living while managing ongoing health conditions, i.e. arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Among the topics to be covered are: techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance; appropriate use of medications; how to evaluate new treatments; nutrition; and communicating effectively with family, friends and health care professionals.
Many who have taken the Healthy Living workshops have commented that the skills they learned have helped them better manage their chronic conditions.
One participant said, “It is a relaxing atmosphere, and before we knew it, we were all sharing things that helped each other … learning to make an action plan is the most important thing I learned.”
Another noted, “I am feeling better and have learned skills to better control my symptoms and manage my life.”
The workshops are part of a statewide initiative called Healthy Aging Partnership – Empowering Elders.
To register for the workshops at Sun Village or to request an American Sign Language interpreter, materials in an alternate format or an auxiliary aid, please contact Charlyn at the Agency on Elderly Affairs at 241-4470.
Anyone who would like to be notified about future Healthy Living workshops at other locations on Kaua‘i is encouraged to call Charlyn.
