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O F F I C E O N A G I N G A N D I N D E P E N D E N C E P R O G R A M S
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Health and
Wellness Division
The Health andWellness Division of the Office onAging
and Independence offers several evidence based programs,
exercise and nutrition counseling, disease specific exercise
programs, and volunteer led opportunities. A number of
these programs are described below. In addition, the Division
manages the 50+EXPO andWomenFest, the Office on Aging
and Independence mental health programs, and volunteer
programs.
The
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Living
Well,
a program developed by Stanford University meets for
2½ hours once a week for six consecutive weeks. It is the only
program of its kind in Maryland that provides evidence-based
comprehensive, peer-led, interactive workshops for people
with chronic conditions. The workshops are facilitated by two
trained volunteer-led leaders. Currently, Howard County has
30+ lay leaders to lead the Living Well Chronic Disease and
Diabetes Self-Management programs, including six bi-lingual
Korean and six bi-lingual Chinese leaders.
Diabetes Self-Management Program, Living Well with
Diabetes
, a program developed by Stanford University is
similar to Chronic Disease program but also adds glucose
monitoring, prevention of low blood sugar, exercise and
maintaining balanced blood sugar levels, skin and foot care,
and dealing with complications specific to diabetes.
EnhanceFitness
, a program developed by University of
Washington and Group Health Cooperative meets three days
per week and is led by an EnhanceFitness certified instructor.
This evidence based exercise program helps older adults at all
levels of fitness become more active, energized and empowered
to sustain independent lives.
The
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program,
offered
through the Arthritis Foundation meets two days per week
and is led by an Arthritis Foundation certified instructor.This
program is geared for those with various forms of arthritis
and/or sedentary and very limited by impaired joint mobility.
The
Powerful Tools for Caregiving
, a program developed
by Legacy Health meets for 2 ½ hours once a week for six
consecutive weeks. This evidence based program provides
participants with tools and strategies to better handle the
unique caregiver challenges they face. Outcomes include a
wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress; change
negative self-talk; communicate needs to family members and
healthcare or service providers; and make tough caregiving
decisions.Weare looking to offer this program early FY 2016.
Specially designed exercise programs
are offered for
people with certain chronic conditions. Currently, classes are
offered for people withArthritis,Parkinson’s disease,and history
of stroke or balance limitations. The Howard County Office
on Aging and Independence has established collaborations
with the Arthritis Foundation and the Parkinson’s Foundation
of the National Capital Area, UMBC, and the VA Medical
Center in Baltimore.
The
SeniorsTogether
peer outreach program provides
older adults with a variety of well-defined opportunities that
promote peer interaction, stimulate mentally and intellectually,
develop social networks, and support a thriving aging process.
Programs utilize volunteer facilitators to guide the various
groups offered throughout the County and to develop new
outreach.
The
Friendly Connections Program
is a volunteer led
program that provides regularly scheduled “social visits” by
trained volunteers to support older adults (age 50+) in the
community who are in need of support and friendship.
Volunteers are screened and matched with an appropriate
participant, and receive training and support from Office on
Aging and Independence staff.
PAWS4Comfort
provides friendly pet visits to residents
of nursing homes, senior centers, and assisted living facilities
throughout Howard County. More than 100 volunteers take
their pets to visit weekly.
The Volunteer Coordinator for the Office on Aging
and Independence is responsible for the overall coordination
of the volunteer program including recruitment, placement,
oversight, direction, outreach and recognition.