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A Healthier You: Upcoming Virtual Events for Seniors Through October
August 24, 2020
Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, a not-for-profit member of Hartford HealthCare Senior Services, offers educational events throughout the year, often in conjunction with area senior centers. Observing current social guidelines, the Center for Healthy Aging is continuing to provide pertinent health information through webinars and video conferencing.
For more information about Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, click here or call 1.877.424.4641.
For people who have not used Zoom (the video or virtual “conference room”), click here for information about using the program.
Here are some upcoming events, all available by either phone or video conference:
Virtual Movement Disorders Caregivers Support Group
Twice each month, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and Chase Family Movement Disorder Center offer virtual caregivers support groups. The sessions are held on the first and third Tuesdays (Sept. 1 and 15) of the month from 10 to 11 am. Meetings begin with a brief clinician-led presentation and each session spotlights a different caregiver/care partner topic. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own experiences. Facilitators are Jennifer McCaughey, of Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, and Amanda Brill and Jennifer Lambert of the Chase Family Movement Disorder Center.
For more information or to RSVP, email Amanda.brill@hhchealth.org or jennifer.mccaughey@hhchealth.org. To join the group, click here.
Webinar: Center for Healthy Aging’s Healthy Brain Series
Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, in conjunction with Southington Calendar House, is offering the five-part weekly Healthy Brain Series on Wednesdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 1:30 pm. This five-part series will offer tips to keep your brain sharp and activities to challenge the mind, all while having fun. Patty O’Brian, dementia specialist with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will facilitate. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. The five sessions will cover the following topics:
Session 1: Challenge your mind daily: Activities to keep your mind sharp.
Session 2: Feeding the brain: The importance of diet and hydration.
Session 3: Benefits of a purposeful life: Finding meaningful engagement as you age.
Session 4: Good sleep and brain power: The importance of sleep and your brain.
Session 5: The Blue Zones: Lessons for living longer from the people who’ve lived the longest.
To register, call 1.855.HHC.HERE/1.855.442.4373 or click here. The Zoom link is here.
Webinar: The Pursuit of Men’s Health – A Path to Health & Wellness
There is much that goes into staying healthy – eating well, exercising and having regular checkups. However, there are key issues that men should address and there are certain questions that they should ask. Nicholas Arsenault, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will discuss important health topics related to helping men stay healthy and on the road to long-term wellness.
The free webinar, “The Pursuit of Men’s Health – A Path to Health & Wellness,” will be offered Wednesday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m. This event is being held in conjunction with West Hartford Senior Center.
To register, call 1.855.HHC.HERE/1.855.442.4373 or click here. The link to the webinar is here.
Webinars: Making the Most of Your Telemedicine Visit
This year, telemedicine visits have been in high demand due to physical distancing measures and expansion of insurance coverage. With this technology, people are able to “meet” with their medical providers without entering the physical office. Two free webinars, “Making the Most of Your Telemedicine Visit,” are being offered to provide information about the different types of virtual services, pros and cons, tips for setting up, use of technology and preparation. Kaitlin Cuas, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will present the programs.
These webinars will be held:
Thursday, Sept. 3, 10 am, in conjunction with Granby Senior Center. Registration is required; call Granby Senior Center, 860.844.5352. To connect, use this link.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 10 am, in conjunction with Plainville Senior Center. Registration is required; call Plainville Senior Center at 860.747.5728. To connect, use this link.
Webinar: Three-Part Healthy Brain Series Begins Sept. 8
The virtual three-part Healthy Brain Series, offered by Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, gives participants information to keep their brains sharp and activities to challenge the mind, all while having fun on Tuesdays, Sept. 8 through 22, 10:30 a.m. Topics are:
- Session 1 (Sept. 8): Challenge Your Mind Daily – Activities to Keep Your Mind Sharp.
- Session 2 (Sept. 15): Feed the Brain – The Importance of Diet and Hydration.
- Session 3 (Sept. 22): Benefits of a Purposeful Life – Finding Meaningful Engagement as You Age.
Michelle Wyman, dementia specialist with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will present the program. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions.
To register, call 1.855.HHC.HERE/ 1.855.442.4373 or go online to Hartford HealthCare.org/Webinars. To connect, use this link.
Webinar: Dimensions of Wellness Examines All Aspects of Being Human
An interactive and engaging virtual presentation on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 2 pm. provides insights into a wellness model. Dimensions of wellness to be discussed include physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, vocational and environmental aspects which can provide a guide to look at oneself. Participants will be encouraged to review, recognize and celebrate their unique triumphs and what they are already doing to live their best lives and what they might like to change. Presenter will be Lillian Swan, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. This is being held in conjunction with Cromwell Senior Center.
To register, call Cromwell Senior Center at 860.632.3447. To connect, use this link.
Five-part Dementia Virtual Caregiving Series
A free, five-part virtual dementia caregiving series can provide the tips and strategies to gain greater insights into caring for a loved one with dementia. Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging dementia specialists and resource coordinators will lead the programs.
The series will be held Fridays, Sept. 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2 and 9, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Topics will include: Session 1: Overview of Dementia; Session 2: Basics of Good Communication and Understanding Behaviors; Session 3: Safety in the Environment and How to Structure a Day with Activities; Session 4: Taking Care of the Caregiver and Care Options; Session 5: Overview of Community Resources That May Be Helpful.
To register, call 1.855.HHC.HERE/ 1.855.442.4373 or click here. To connect, use this link.
Live Well with Chronic Conditions Virtual Workshop Begins Sept. 14
For those with chronic pain brought on by health conditions, each day can be a struggle. The free six-week virtual workshop, “Live Well with Chronic Conditions,” will provide practical tools to help individuals to develop self-management skills and the confidence to take control of chronic pain. This series will be held Mondays, Sept. 14 (technology training session), 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions.
Individuals will need a computer, tablet or cell phone and a reliable internet connection. A technology training session will be provided prior to starting the workshop. Materials will be sent directly to participants at no cost and include a Living a Healthy Life Book and relaxation CD.
Topics will include: techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, and pain; how to communicate effectively with family, friends and healthcare professionals; how to make healthy eating and physical activity choices; how to manage stress and deal with difficult emotions; problem solving and decision making skills; and action planning.
Amina Weiland and Joe Zuzel, resource coordinators with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will present the Live Well series. Sponsors are the Department of Rehabilitation Services State Unit on Aging, Connecticut Dept. of Public Health, North Central Area Agency on Aging and Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging.
Registration required; call Amina Weiland at 860.286.3236.
Webinar: Storm Preparedness – Being Medically Ready
Prevention and preparedness build the foundation to make a positive impact when it comes to a medical emergency during a storm. A free webinar, “Storm Preparedness – How Can You be Ready?” will include the steps to prepare health emergency plans for people with long-term health conditions and essential tips to take before a storm hits.
This event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 16, 10 to 11 a.m., (in conjunction with West Hartford Senior Center). This was rescheduled from Aug. 5. Lillian Swan, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will present the program.
For more information, call Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, 1.877.4AGING1/1.877.424.4641. To RSVP, call 1.855.HHC.HERE/1.855.442.4373. To connect, use this link.
How to Make the Most of a Doctor’s Visit
On the average, doctor’s appointments are only 15 minutes long. Preparation and knowing the best questions to ask can help individuals benefit more from their appointments with their physicians. A free virtual program about this topic will be held Wednesday, Sept. 16, 12:30 p., led by Nicholas Arsenault, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. Information will include how to prepare for an appointment; important things to bring to your doctor’s; questions to ask and more. Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and Wethersfield Senior Center are sponsoring.
For more information, call Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging at 1.877.424.4641. To register, call 1.855.HHC.HERE/1.855.442.4373 or click here. To connect, use this link. To join by phone, call 646.876.9923 and enter the meeting ID number: 995-0047-5105#.
Webinar focuses on the Importance of Hydration
Dehydration is often associated with summer heat. However, with the body primarily composed of water, hydration is vital to maintaining optimum health year round. Water controls body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure as well as removes waste. Without adequate water, the body’s organs can shut down and can cause anxiety, confusion, sleepiness, rapid breathing and increased pulse among additional problems.
A free webinar, “How to Stay Hydrated,” will be held Thursday, Sept. 17 at 1:15 pm. Topics include the importance of hydration, its impact on the body and how to identify signs and combat dehydration. Presenter will be Nicholas Arsenault, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. Sponsors are Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and Cheshire Senior Center.
To RSVP, call Cheshire Senior Center at 203.272.8296. To connect, use this link.
Center for Healthy Aging offers virtual caregiver support groups
In the past, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging hosted monthly in-person free caregivers support groups. These are now being held via video conferencing. In conjunction with Berlin-Peck Memorial Library, the Center for Healthy Aging virtual caregivers support group is being held on the third Monday of every month (Sept. 21) from 1 to 2:30 pm.
This group is sponsored by Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association. To register and for Zoom information, call Patty O’Brian, dementia specialist, at 860.628.3833.
Webinar: ‘They Say I Have Dementia: What Does That Mean?’
A diagnosis of dementia can be frightening for those affected by the syndrome, their family members and caregivers. The free webinar, “They Say I Have Dementia: What Does That Mean?” will be held Tuesday, Sept. 22, 5 to 6 pm. Presented by Patty O’Brian, dementia specialist with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, topics will include the signs and symptoms of dementia, different types of dementia and risk factors. Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and Southington Care Center are sponsoring.
To register, call 1.855.HHC.HERE/1.855.442.4373. To connect, use this link.
Dimensions of Wellness for the Older Adult
The interactive and engaging virtual presentation, “Dimensions of Wellness for the Older Adult,” on Wednesday, Sept. 23 10 to 11 a.m., will provide insights into the many aspects of what defines being human. Discussion will include physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, vocational and environmental dimensions which can provide a guide to look at oneself. Participants will be encouraged to review, recognize and celebrate their unique triumphs and what they are already doing to live their best lives and what they might like to change. Presenter will be Amina Weiland, resource coordinator with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. This program is being held in conjunction with Windsor Senior Center.
To register, call 860.285.1992. To connect, use this link.
Webinar Focuses on Exercise and Healthy Aging
Exercise can be used as a tool to help prevent and fight disease and age-related decline. However, through the course of life individual’s bodies and needs change. A free webinar, “Exercise and Healthy Aging,” on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 2 pm. will examine how activities and habits shape people’s physiology. Lisa Murawski, exercise physiologist with GoodLife Fitness, a program of Hartford HealthCare, will present this program. Sponsors are GoodLife Fitness and Cromwell Senior Center.
Registration is required. To RSVP, call Cromwell Senior Center at 860.632.3447. To register, use this link.
‘Safe, Secure and Socialized’ – Why Assisted Living Can Be an Ideal Solution
Assisted living communities proved to be an excellent option for older adults when Connecticut was at the height of COVID-19. From testing on site to vitals monitoring, residents also were safe, secure and socialized with distanced activity programs, in-room dining services and generator-powered buildings. Winter can be a particularly isolating season for older adults who often cannot go out of their homes or live safely. A free webinar about this topic will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 5 pm. Christine Sampson, RN, wellness director with Cedar Mountain Commons will present.
To register, call 1.855.HHC.HERE/1.855.442.4373 or click here.
Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging is a not-for-profit member of Hartford HealthCare Senior Services. Each of the 12 resource and assessment centers are designed to enhance access to services and information related to attaining optimal quality of life for seniors and their caregivers. For more information about Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, click here or call 1.877.424.4641.
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