OCO to offer Living Healthy Workshops

Written by: John DeRousie, Custom Marketing Solutions
Fulton, NY – Looking to put the life back into your life?  Oswego County Opportunities may have the answer!

Beginning September 26 OCO, in collaboration with the Oswego County Health Department will host Living Healthy NY community workshops.

The focus of the Living Healthy NY workshops is the Chronic Disease Self-Management program, a peer-led health education program for those dealing with any type of ongoing health issues.

The Chronic Disease Self-Management program is meant to compliment the health care that people may be currently receiving.  The program is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging via the New York State Office for the Aging.

“The purpose of the Chronic Disease Self-Management program is to enhance one’s skills and ability to manage their health and maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle,” explained Christine Parks, support services manager for OCO Senior Nutrition Services. “This six-week program is not just for seniors, it for anyone with ongoing health issues that would like to put the life back into their life.”

Parks said that the workshops would allow participants to learn or enhance their problem-solving and decision-making skills enabling them to confront the ever-changing challenges of living with an ongoing health condition.

“By helping participants increase their energy and find relief from pain, fatigue, and difficult emotions the Living Healthy workshops will make them feel better and allow them to get more out of life,” added Parks.

Topics discussed during the workshops include:

Developing decision-making and problem-solving skills

Developing and maintaining a safe and long-term physical activity program

Fatigue management

Dealing with anger, depression, and other difficult emotions

Cognitive management of pain and stress

Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals

Using prescribed medication appropriately

Healthy eating

Making informed treatment decisions

Planning for future health care

The Living Healthy workshops, which are offered free of charge, will be held on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, September 26 through October 31 and will be hosted by OCO at the OCO Senior Dining and Activity Centers in Constantia at Saint Bernadette’s Church, County Route 49.

The workshops will also be offered in Fulton at the Fulton Mill Apartments, 265 W. First St., and in Sandy Creek at the OCO Senior Activity and Dining Center in United Methodist Church on Harwood Drive.

Times and dates for the workshops in Fulton and Sandy Creek will be announced in the near future.

“The Living Healthy workshops will help anyone, at any age, that is dealing with ongoing health issues take control of their lives by being active, and connecting with others,” added Parks.

For more information on the Living Healthy workshops or to participate in the Chronic Disease Self-Management program, contact OCO Senior Services at 315-598-4712.

OCO offers more than 50 human service programs that serve more than 30,000 people each year.

Operating in more than 80 locations throughout Oswego County, OCO’s workforce has more than 650 employees and 1,200 volunteers.

A private, non-profit agency, OCO is committed to helping people, supporting communities, changing lives, and improving the quality of life for Oswego County residents.

OCO, Inc. is a United Way of Greater Oswego County member agency.

For more information, visit www.oco.org

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