Time is now to pursue ‘Living Well’

It seems we can’t open a magazine or watch the news these days without being bombarded with presumably the very best ways to take care of ourselves and live with the media’s disease of the day. From acupuncture to vitamins, there is no shortage of tips for wellness. It’s enough to overwhelm even the most dedicated health nut.

Wouldn’t it be nice to get some proven ideas and techniques all in one place taught by professionals? Now you can.

“Living Well is a six-session workshop that teaches practical strategies for staying well and self-managing chronic health problems,” said Amy Cotton, course instructor, nurse practitioner and director of operations at Rosscare.

“Participants can either have a chronic health problem themselves, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, emphysema, obesity, depression or other long-term health conditions, or be the caregiver of someone who is coping with ongoing health issues,” she said. “The series gives participants tools to manage their health problems and develop and practice action plans to deal with these issues in effective ways.”

Developed by Stanford University, the Living Well class gives participants tools that help them manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.

“Rosscare’s mission is to promote wellness among seniors and preventive health care,” said Marcia Young, course instructor, registered nurse and administrator of Sylvia Ross Home. “And our goal is to empower people to take charge of their health, to ask heath care providers questions regarding their conditions and to have a pro-active hand in their treatment.”

The first session identifies common health problems and discusses the difference between acute and chronic conditions. You also will learn how to use your mind to manage symptoms, utilizing relaxation techniques.

Next time, you’ll learn how to deal with difficult emotions such as sadness, anger and depression that often accompany chronic illness. This class will help you overcome these feelings through setting and achieving personal activity goals, and using the natural release of endorphins through exercise.

Class three focuses on the proper breathing techniques, muscle relaxation, pain and fatigue management and individual endurance activities.

“The elderly typically take shallow breaths,” said Young. “Deep breathing is very beneficial, and cleansing breaths are important – especially for those with lung disorders. Stress reduction is key and these techniques address how to handle the stress of living with a chronic condition.”

Class four encourages participants to communicate with confidence. Skills are taught that can make talking with health care providers, caregivers and others, a little easier. One of the most important things you can do for your health is to fully understand what’s happening and the best way to do that is to ask questions – and keep asking until they’re answered. Good nutrition and planning for your future health care are also covered.

Class five discusses medication usage, how to make informed treatment decisions and depression management. Techniques include positive thinking and guided imagery.

And finally, the last session teaches you the best way to work with your health care professional and navigate the health care system in these days of physician specialties and medical technology.

Cynthia Ellis, a volunteer instructor who is trained in the Living Well course, is looking forward to the class.

“We all have some chronic problems, but you don’t need to be a specialist [in the field] to manage them,” she said. “You can manage them yourself. My view is that you’re going to live with the disease, whatever it is, anyway, so you might as well live more comfortably with it.”

So, if you’d like to set goals that are doable, find support and solutions to problems, make daily tasks easier, relax and manage stress and develop a working partnership with your health care team, this class is for you. And all this for only $25.

There are two opportunities to enjoy the Living Well experience. The United Methodist Church in Orono will offer the class Tuesdays and Thursdays for three weeks, beginning 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. To register, call Cindy Smith at 973-7094 or e-mail csmith@emh.org. Scholarships and transportation are available.

Living Well also is offered through Penobscot Valley Senior College 10 a.m.-noon Fridays, beginning Feb. 29, on the University College campus in Bangor. To register, call PVSC at 262-7927 or e-mail seniorcollege@mainecenteronaging.org.

Amy Cotton will speak on “Caring for the Caregiver” at 5:30 p.m. today at the meeting of the Physical Disabilities Support Group, Alpha One, 1048 Union St. This is a joint meeting with family and friends of group members, and all are welcome.

Carol Higgins Taylor is director of communications at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. E-mail Higgins Taylor at chtaylor@eaaa.org. For information on EAAA, call 941-2865 or 800-432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or visit EAAA.org. TTY 992-0150.