Adult Mainers can register for Healthy Living for ME’s free and low-cost workshops.

Four workshops are scheduled to launch in April: HealthMatters, Better Health Now with Pain, the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and Better Health Now with Diabetes, according to a news release from the network.

“Every step someone makes towards improving their health and better managing health conditions is worthwhile, and our workshops can help people make the lifestyle changes needed to see those improvements,” said Libby Matthews, registered dietician of Healthy Living for ME.

April workshops are as follows:

• HealthMatters (in person) — This workshop will be held at the Muskie Community Center, 48 Gold St., in Waterville on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Monday, April 4. It is designed to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live a healthy lifestyle. Through exercise, nutrition and health education activities, this workshop helps participants become stronger and healthier, improve self-advocacy skills and confidence, and connect with peers as they gain the knowledge, motivation and skills needed to create healthy habits that last a lifetime. This workshop is provided in partnership with Bridges Home Services.

• Better Health Now with Pain (by phone) — This workshop is designed for those who experience long-term pain and/or their caregivers. It is scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 5. Participants receive a toolkit in the mail and work with a leader either by themselves or in small groups. Topics covered include pacing and planning, medication management, and the Moving Easy Program. This workshop is provided in partnership with MaineGeneral’s Peter Alfond Prevention & Healthy Living Center.

• National Diabetes Prevention Program (online) — This workshop will begin Saturday, April 23. This is not a diet or exercise class, but a program led by a certified lifestyle coach that provides free health coaching to reduce a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Participants can learn to apply practical strategies to stay motivated, manage stress, prepare food, and avoid negative thoughts. They attend 16 weekly sessions followed by every-other-week sessions for the remainder of the year-long program. Additionally, the registered dietician will be available to support participants of the program. This workshop is provided in partnership with Spectrum Generations.

• Better Health Now with Diabetes (by phone) — This workshop is designed for those who have or are at risk of diabetes and/or their caregivers. It is scheduled to begin Wednesday, April 27. Participants receive a toolkit in the mail and work with a leader either by themselves or in small groups. Topics covered include techniques to deal with the symptoms of diabetes, fatigue, pain, hyper/hypoglycemia, stress, depression, anger, fear and frustration; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance; healthy eating, appropriate use of medication; and working with healthcare providers. This workshop is provided in partnership with SeniorsPlus.

For virtual workshops, participants who do not have the necessary technology may be eligible to borrow an iPad from Healthy Living for ME in order to participate.

Registration is required for these workshops. For for information and to register, contact Healthy Living for ME at 800-620-6036 or info@healthylivingforme.org or visit healthylivingforme.org.

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