Arthritis, diabetes and heart disease are illnesses and chronic conditions that affect seniors at a much higher rate than younger adults. One in three people over the age of 65 experience a fall each year. Two out of 10 people over the age of 60 have diabetes. 70 percent of Americans die from a chronic disease each year.
In light of this, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is helping seniors take charge of their own health through the My Life, My Health Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), which is a community workshop designed to give people with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, etc.) and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their health care.
The first six-week session begins Monday, October 18 from 10 a.m. To 12:30 p.m. and will be held at the Brockton Council on Aging, located at 10 Father Kenney Way in Brockton. The program is facilitated by Old colony Elder Services’ staff who are trained leaders dealing with a chronic disease themselves or are living with chronic disease.
The workshops teach seniors how to deal with issues such as frustration, pain, isolation, and fatigue. Seniors learn how to exercise to improve strength and endurance, and how to improve nutrition by healthier eating. They will also learn how to set goals, use medications properly and speak effectively with doctors or other health care professionals.
The My Life, My Health program is FREE and lunch will be provided each week. Seating is limited.
To sign up for the program, contact Janice Fitzgerald at 508-580-7811.
Dorothy Slack, Rochelle Sugarman, Lauren Murphy and Rick Alvarnaz of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) have been certified as Leaders through the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), My Life, My Health sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Duxbury, Middleborough and New Bedford Senior Centers. OCES now has a License from Stanford University to present 10 CDSMP.
“Disease self-management programs emphasize the senior’s role in managing their illness and building self-confidence so they can be successful in adopting healthier behaviors. By empowering seniors, we are helping to ensure that they are able to continue living at home as opposed to living in an institution,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES. She continued, “We would like to thank the Brockton Council on Aging for sharing their space with us so we can run this essential program.”
About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.
OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.
The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.
In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.
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