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Healthy Aging and Injury Prevention

The Council on Aging wants you to live the healthy, injury-free life of your choosing. We offer these services to help you do that:

  • Home Safety Assessments

  • Home Modifications

  • Classes

  • Health Screenings

Please see below for more information on each one.

Morning Coffee on Terrace

Home Safety Assessments

The COA would like to help you make your home safer for you as you age. The Injury Prevention Coordinator will come to your home for a nominal fee and assess the home for any safety issues. You will receive a full report with suggestions in addition to discussions with the assessor as they assess. Please call 252-752-1717 and ask to speak with the Injury Prevention Coordinator. Or you may complete a referral form.

Home Modifications

The Council on Aging performs home modifications to help seniors live safely and independently in their homes. Grab bars and hand railings (indoor and outdoor) are two of the most common modifications. Private pay options are available and grant options are available based on eligibility.

All home modification jobs are managed by the COA.

Please call 252-752-1717 and ask to speak with the Injury Prevention Coordinator. Or you may complete a referral form.

Classes

The COA periodically offers classes to help with healthy aging and injury prevention. Please check out our newsletter here to see the dates and times of those courses listed below. 

Evidence-Based Education Classes (to help you learn ways to age healthier)

Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions (8-14 people in class)

This workshop is designed for individuals living with chronic health conditions or those who care for individuals with chronic health conditions who want to learn self-management skills. It  meets 1x/week, for 6 weeks, 2 ½ hours each week. Topics include:

  • Exercises to improve flexibility, balance, and posture, and reduce fall risk

  • Nutrition and reading food labels; managing pain, fatigue

  • Mind-body connection; relaxation strategies; better breathing, setting goals

  • Medication information; communicating with ourselves

https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/

Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain  (8-14 people in class)

This  workshop is designed for individuals living with chronic health pain or those who care for individuals with chronic pain who want to learn self-management skills. It  meets 1x/week, for 6 weeks, 2 ½ hours each week. Topics include:

  • Managing frustration, pain, fatigue, isolation, poor sleep

  • Instruction in exercises to help maintain and improve flexibility, endurance, and strength

  • Strategies for pacing activities and rest periods; medication use

  • Communicating with others; setting goals; healthy eating

https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/

 

Matter of Balance (8-12 people in class)

This  workshop is designed for people who can walk independently with or without a device, and want to learn practical strategies to help prevent falls. It meets once a week for eight sessions (1xweek for 8 weeks or 2x/week for 4 weeks), 2 hours each session. Topics include:

  • Viewing falls as controllable

  • Setting goals for increasing activity

  • Making changes to reduce fall risks

  • Learning exercises to increase strength, balance, and flexibility.

https://mainehealth.org/healthy-communities/healthy-aging/matter-of-balance

 

Walk with Ease (10-15 people in class)

This Arthritis Foundation workshop is designed for people who are not physically active,  with or without arthritis, who can tolerate standing for at least 10 minutes without pain. It meets 3x/week for 6 sessions, 1 hours each session. Sessions include discussion, stretches, walking. Topics:

  • Education about walking/physical activity

  • Information about managing arthritis

  • Initiating and continuing an aerobic physical activity program.

  • Setting goals for increasing activity

https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/physical-activity/walking/walk-with-ease

Health Screenings

The COA offers free health screenings monthly. Please check out our newsletter here or contact the front desk at 252-752-1717 to confirm the date and time of the next screening that interests you.

  • Pain Management

  • Respiratory Therapy

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Blood Pressure

  • Physical Therapy

  • Auditory

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