Westchester residents age 55 and older are invited to learn about the Living Well Livable Communities program to better manage their chronic health conditions, enhance their quality of life and possibly lower their health costs at three free information sessions this month.
Chronic conditions include arthritis, high-blood pressure, pain, depression and diabetes, just to name a few. Registration is not required for the sessions, which will take place:
Tuesday, Jan. 28, 10:30 a.m.: The Armory, 144 N. Fifth Ave., Mount Vernon
Contact: Geri Christiani at (914) 665-2315
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 12:30 p.m.: The Mount Pleasant Community Center, 125 Lozza Way, Valhalla
Contact: Kellie Rizzi at (914) 742-2363
Thursday, Jan. 30, 11 a.m.: The Doles Center, 250 S. Sixth Ave., Mount Vernon
Contact: Joan Horton (914) 665-2447
Living Well – formally known as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program – is presented by Westchester County's Department of Senior Programs and Services and the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services. It was developed by the Patient Education Research Center at Stanford University's School of Medicine, and is taught in more than 30 languages around the world.
Trained peer leaders teach participants how to manage their conditions on a day-to-day basis through a greater understanding of physical activity, healthy eating and stress management. Participants also learn how to use their medications correctly and improve communications with their health care provider and family. People taking the course may also be able to lower their health care costs by avoiding unnecessary trips or return trips to doctors and hospitals.
Living Well workshops take place for 2 ½ hours a week for six weeks at various locations in the county throughout the year. Dates and locations will be announced. Last year, 100 individuals took part.