Statewide health network offers free August workshops

Healthy Living for ME invites adult Mainers of all ages to register for the network’s free August workshops focused on health and wellness. The workshops are open to the public and include the two topics of managing diabetes and improving fitness and activity levels.

“Whether you’re dealing with a chronic disease such as diabetes, or are looking for ways to improve your activity levels, Healthy Living for ME can help. With workshops available online, in-person and by phone, we hope many Mainers are able to find an option that works for them and can take advantage of these free resources for improving their health and wellness,” said Jennifer Fortin, training and fidelity manager of Healthy Living for ME, according to a news release from the health network.

• Better Health Now with Diabetes is conducted over the phone. Participants will receive a toolkit in the mail and will 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 being offered by network partner MaineGeneral’s Peter Alfond Prevention & Healthy Living Center. It runs from Aug. 3 to Sept. 7.

• Bingocize workshop combines a bingo-like game with exercise and health education with the goal of increasing older adults’ functional fitness, health knowledge, and social engagement.

Bingocize is being offered in-person by Healthy Living for ME network partner SeniorsPlus beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The workshop will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 13 at the Education Center at SeniorsPlus at 8 Falcon Road in Lewiston.

• Living Well with Diabetes will include two sessions offered in August, one online and one in-person. This workshop is designed to help people with type 2 diabetes, those with prediabetes, and their supports learn how to live well. 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.

The online session is being offered by network partner SeniorsPlus. It will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Aug. 11 and running through Sept. 15.

• The in-person session of Living Well with Diabetes is being offered by network partner Spectrum Generations. It will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning Aug. 25 and running through Sept. 29. The workshop will be held at the Cohen Community Center at 22 Town Farm Road in Hallowell.

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 more information and to register, contact Healthy Living for ME at 800-620-6036 or info@healthylivingforme.org. Registering also can be done by visiting healthylivingforme.org.

Healthy Living for ME also welcomes referrals from healthcare providers. Its evidence-based programming can help patients manage and prevent conditions before they become more serious or result in emergency situations.

To learn more about these and other workshops offered by Healthy Living for ME, visit its website.