Health & Wellness Workshops

Click here for a current schedule of Health and Wellness workshops

If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease or arthritis, you’re not alone.

Approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease – and 77% have at least two – which require ongoing medical attention and may limit everyday activities (National Council on Aging). Living with a chronic health condition is not a normal part of aging, nor does it need to be debilitating.

How can we help?

There are useful, everyday ways to manage your health to help you live life to its fullest. Council on Aging (COA) partners with the Ohio Department of Aging, Maine Health and the Self-Management Resource Center to offer workshops that focus on practical ways to help you take control of your health and wellness needs. The workshops are intended to support older adults age 60+ and their caregivers of any age.

Learn to Better Manage your Health

COA administers Healthy U workshops which offer a safe environment for people with a variety of chronic health conditions (diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, etc.) to learn to better manage their disease and the challenges that come with it. COA offers the following Healthy U workshops:

• Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) (online and in-person)
• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) (online and in-person)
• Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP) (online and in-person)

In these workshops, you will learn tips for:

• healthy eating
• how to manage frustration, fatigue and isolation
• light exercise to maintain and improve strength and flexibility
• improving communication with family, friends and doctors
• making informed treatment decisions
• appropriate use of medications

Prevent Falls

Falling does not have to be “just a part of aging.” Many things can be done to prevent falls. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program that emphasizes practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling and gently increase activity levels. Participants meet in small groups once per week for eight weeks, and learn to view falls as controllable, set realistic goals, change their environment to reduce risk factors, and master exercises to increase strength and balance.

Bingocize^R

Bingocize combines the fun of Bingo and the importance of health education. While enjoying a game of Bingo, participants will be presented with added questions and exercises about health. This program will:

• improve body strength, gait, balance and range of motion
• improve aspects of cognition
• increase social engagement
• reduce falls by increasing knowledge of fall risks

Older adults are able to participate in three Bingocize workshops with dedicated curriculums:

• Bingocize and Exercise
• Bingocize and Fall Prevention
• Bingocize and Nutrition

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention

Tai Chi is easy to learn, effective and safe. It improves flexibility, muscle strength, posture and balance. Some of its many benefits include:

• increased heart and lung activity
• better sleep
• weight loss
• improved mood
• management of chronic conditions

Our Tai Chi workshops truly are for everyone and include accommodations such as “Chair Chi” for participants who cannot stand for any length of time.

Care for the Caregiver

Caregivers juggle many areas of responsibility such as meeting the needs of their loved one, raising families of their own and maintaining their job responsibilities. COA offers support to caregivers in the following ways:

• We have Council on Aging care managers that specialize in caregiver support. Click here to learn more about our Caregiver Support Program.
• Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an evidenced-based, six-week class which supports the caregiver and provides tips on accessing resources, communicating effectively, managing emotions and reducing stress. Program sponsor: Catholic Charities’ Caregiver Assistance Network. You can register for the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program below or call Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio (513-672-3834) to find out about future workshops.

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Why should I participate in a Health and Wellness workshop?

Health and Wellness workshops bring together people who are facing common obstacles to healthy living and share a common goal – to live their best life. Many participants get to know others living with similar conditions who may have some of the very same questions.

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What is the cost for workshops?

All Health and Wellness workshops are completely free, regardless of location or subject matter.

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How and where are workshops held? 

Workshops are offered throughout the year and take place at various host sites throughout our five-county service area (Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties.) Workshops are held either online or in-person. The format of the workshop is determined by the host site.

The choice of workshop format depends on your comfort level. It is important to know that COA staff will be available to assist you with any technology questions you may have and your needs will be fully supported in any workshop.

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How can I register?

You are welcome to register for any workshop with any Host Site Sponsor while space is available. Registering is as simple as clicking the registration link next to the desired workshop in the table below.

Note: To minimize the opportunity for missed sessions, please select a workshop that best fits your schedule.

You must have an email address to register online. If you don’t have an email address, please call Brittaney Burton at 513-345-8637 for assistance with registration.

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Upcoming Workshops

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Host Site Sponsors

Every workshop we offer has a Host Site Sponsor (also known as a Community Partner). Our host sites currently include health care organizations, YMCAs, faith-based organizations, senior centers and senior housing buildings throughout our five-county region: Butler, Clinton, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties.

Host sites sponsor workshops available to anyone living in our five-county region. These host sites play an important role by marketing our programs to members and we compensate them based on the number of people who complete the workshop.

If you select a workshop sponsored by a familiar host site, perhaps one close to your home, there is a chance you may know other participants in the workshop – or you might meet a new friend.

Any community site interested in partnering with COA to sponsor a workshop can email Judy Eschmann or call Judy at (513) 519-8890. If you are interested in hosting a Caregiver workshop, please contact Angela Homoelle at (513) 672-3834.

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Special note for Veterans

Veterans are welcome and encouraged to register for any workshop offered by COA. The VA Medical Center also offers these programs. If you are a veteran interested in participating in a workshop offered by the VA Medical Center, please call (513) 475-6381.