Classes promote better health, improved balance

1 year ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Aroostook Agency on Aging in partnership with Healthy Living for ME offers free workshops to help older adults manage their chronic health conditions and reduce falls. For all persons, the beginning of a new year presents another opportunity to create new routines that have the potential to  impact how they feel every day.

To that end, classes such asBingocize and Living Well for Better Health will be offered beginning in January with in-person, virtual and telephone options available.

Living Well for Better Health is an ideal workshop for people who may have health conditions like heart  disease, asthma, arthritis, or COPD. This class is currently underway at the Sargent Family Community  Center in Presque Isle on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Registration is now open for an online version of Living Well for better Health starting on Wednesday,  Jan. 18 through Feb. 22. 

Bingocize, a program that combines the game of Bingo and falls prevention exercise, will be offered beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 17 and will run through March 23. Workshop participants will meet through Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m.  

“The program targets falls prevention through practical education and exercise with the added bonus of  Bingo fun,” says Jane Pinette of Caribou. Workshop participants who complete the program report fewer falls, a reduced fear of falling and increased social engagement. 

All classes are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register for a class, please call Callie Rogers at Aroostook Agency on Aging at 207-764-3396.  

Healthy Living for ME is a statewide network of evidence-based programs that empower adults to address and better manage their health issues. All workshops are listed at healthylivingforme.org.