Generations’ Column for June 4, 2022
GENERATIONS TO OFFER VIRTUAL LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN JUNE: Generations will be offering a free VIRTUAL 6-week course, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, every Thursday beginning June 9th through July 14th, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. According to the National Council on Aging, about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 68% have at least two. Many adults with conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and others struggle to find ways to manage their condition. This program will address issues faced by individuals dealing with chronic disease. Some of the topics discussed during the course of this program are: techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep; decision-making skills to better deal with medication use and treatment options; exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance; pacing activity and rest; nutrition gaps; and action planning. For more information, or to register, please contact Cathy Jones at 812-888-5159 or by e-mail at catherine.jones@vinu.edu. *Please note that your computer system must have a camera and a microphone.
GENERATIONS TO OFFER LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN JUNE: Generations will be offering a free 6-week course, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, every Tuesday beginning June 14th through July 19th, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at The Villages at Oak Ridge Clubhouse, 1694 Troy Rd, Washington, IN. According to the National Council on Aging, about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 68% have at least two. Many adults with conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and others struggle to find ways to manage their condition. This program will address issues faced by individuals dealing with chronic disease. Some of the topics discussed during the course of this program are: techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep; decision-making skills to better deal with medication use and treatment options; exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance; pacing activity and rest; nutrition gaps; and action planning. For more information, or to register, please contact Alma Kramer at 812-888-4527 or by e-mail at akramer@vinu.edu.
JUNE 15, 2022 IS WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY. As Americans, we believe in justice for all. Yet we fail to live up to this promise when we allow older members of our society to be abused or neglected. Older people are vital, contributing members of American society and their maltreatment diminishes all of us. Just as we have confronted and addressed the social issues of child abuse and domestic violence, so too can we find solutions to address issues like elder abuse, which also threatens the well-being of our community. Our policies and practices make it hard for older people to stay involved with and connected to our communities as they age. As a result, older people are more likely to experience social isolation, which increases the likelihood of abuse and neglect. We can design stronger societal supports to keep our older people connected and protect them from abuse, whether financial, emotional, physical or sexual. When we address a root cause, like social isolation, we also make it less likely that people will become neglected. Older adults who are socially connected and protected from harm are less likely to be hospitalized, less likely to go into nursing homes and less likely to die. We can and must create healthier and safer living environments for older adults, including their homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Get more information about how to make a difference by visiting the National Center on Elder Abuse https://ncea.acl.gov or by calling the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to explore local community services and supports. You may also call Generations at 1-800-742-9002 for more information on local resources and supports.
GENERATIONS MAGAZINE: Our magazine is geared toward adults in pre-retirement and retirement years and promotes active aging and preventive health. It is published three times a year and is free to subscribers. All we need is your name and address. If you would like to receive future copies of the magazine, contact Brenda Hancock at 812-888-5146 or bhancock@vinu.edu.
Generations, Area 13 Agency on Aging & Disability, is a program of Vincennes University’s Community Services Division. Our agency connects individuals and caregivers to community resources and options for long-term care and in-home services. For more information, call 1-800-742-9002 or 812-888-5880 or visit our website at www.generationsnetwork.org