Howard County Resource Guide 2018

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 46 H OWA R D C O U N T Y R E S O U R C E G U I D E 2 0 1 7 Health and Wellness Division The Health andWellness Division of the Office on Aging 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 2 ½ 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. A Matter of Balance , a program developed by Boston University meets for 2 hours once a week for eight consecutive weeks.The program is designed to reduce fear of falling, stop the fear of falling cycle, and increase activity levels among participants. It has proven benefits for people who have concerns about falls, restrict activities because of fall concerns, or have sustained a fall in the past. 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. 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.

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