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RESOURCES FOR HEALTHY AGING |
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WHAT IS HEALTHY AGING? |
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POLK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE |
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ENHANCEFITNESS EXERCISE PROGRAM |
Polk County Health Department is providing a low-cost, evidence-based group wellness
and exercise program for older adults. EnhanceFitness is an exercise program for
seniors that offer low-cost fitness classes taught by certified fitness instructors.
The one-hour classes meet three times per week in ongoing, eight- week sessions.
The classes include strength training with wrist and ankle weights, as well as aerobics,
stretching, and balancing exercises. The program is designed to be safe and effective
for seniors with a wide range of physical abilities. Studies have shown a marked
improvement in participants' physical and social functioning, as well as a decline
in areas such as pain, fatigue, and depression. The program is designed to be safe
for physically unfit seniors, including the “near frail,” yet still challenging
for more active seniors.
Learn more about EnhanceFitness online at www.projectenhance.org.
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Better Choices/Better Health Program (formerly Chronic Disease Self-Management Program) |
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Iowa Healthy Links-Better Choices/Better Health Program is a Stanford University evidence-based program for adults
that have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and emphysema.
Do you experience fatigue, frustration, pain and/or limitations? If so, there is a healthy way to live with a chronic
health condition and overcome the physical and emotional problems caused by the condition.
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Tomando Control de su Salud (Spanish Better Choices/Better Health Program)
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This is a Spanish version of the Iowa Healthy Links-Better Choices/Better Health Program.
Subjects covered are similar to the English version, but they are presented in ways that are culturally appropriate.
All workshops are given in Spanish without translators. Spanish speaking with different chronic health problems attend together.
Workshops are facilated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are living with a chronic disease themselves.
Workshops are held once a week for six weeks, for two and a half hours.
Each participant in the workshop receives a copy of the companion book, Tomando Control de su Salud:
Una guía para el manejo de las infermedades del corazón, diabetes, asma, bronquitis, enfisema y otros problemas crónicos,
an audio relaxation tape, Casete de Relajación,and an audio exercise tape with booklet, ¡Hagamos ejercicio!
All materials are in Spanish. It is the process in which the program is taught that makes it effective.
Classes are highly participative, where mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to
manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.
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MATTER OF BALANCE |
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The Polk County Health Department in partnership with Aging Resources of Central
Iowa, and Polk County Senior Services is implementing an evidence-based fall/injury
prevention program, "A Matter of Balance" in the community. A Matter of Balance
can help reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults
who have concerns about falling. Classes are taught by lay led coaches twice a week
for four weeks for two hours. The Coach Job Description and Coach Application are
also attached.
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