Page 15 - Senior Times South Central Michigan June 2023 - 30-06

Join the Diabetes Self-Management Workshop to Improve Your Health
Kinship Korner
By: Colleen Acker, BeWell Activities Coordinator, CareWell Services SW
with broad experience and demonstrated results in a variety of settings, populations, and chronic conditions. The Stanford- model workshops are now used internationally in 15 countries and over 39 US states. Title
IIID funding is used to support delivery of these evidence-based programs delivered by Area Agencies on Aging.
Senior Times - June 2023
Page 15
Family Enrichment Center Regional Resource 3 Team Sharon Dewey
Foster Care Navigator
Email: SDewey@fecfamily.com
Ph: (269) 660-0448 www.Fecfamily.com
Families opening their homes to relative children have the privilege and responsibility to provide them a safe and pos- sibly a temporary home. This allows their parents to address safety issues and learn new skills. This arrangement can be rewarding and yet incredibly stressful.
We have two suggestions to help relieve some of this stress. The most helpful advice we
can offer is to find and attend
a support group. It is a place to vent about issues with people who are walking the same walk. They understand both the pain and the joy of helping children heal. This is also the best place to find resources to help meet various needs you might have, such as clothing, food, counsel- ing, and respite care.
Also, ask for help from fam- ily and friends. Be specific about what you need. This is practicing good, and necessary, self-care. Remember, we need to care for ourselves to care for others!
The Kinship Resource center at MSU is an excellent place to call to find support groups and resources in your area. They can be reached by calling 1-800-535-1218, or on the web at kinship@msu.edu.
The Family enrichment Center has a support group
the 1st Tuesday of the month
at 12:30pm and the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6pm. Please call Sharon Dewey at (269) 274-4077 for more information.
We currently are offering passes to Frederick Meijer gar- dens in Grand Rapids, State Park passes, and tickets to Binder Park Zoo for our clients. For more information
call Sharon Dewey at (269) 274-4077.
Family Enrichment Center
If you face the daily challenges of living with diabetes, the Diabetes Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) workshops
problems and goals for people with ongoing health concerns related to diabetes; it is not a drop-in support group,” states Karen Courtney, director of programs for CareWell Services SW. “During workshops, the facilitators offer guidance and support, but the participants themselves find practical solutions individually and together. Participants choose their own goals and track their own progress toward success. Taking control of your own health is hugely empowering, and also a lot of fun!”
may be helpful for you. These free workshops help people
with diabetes and their family members. As a workshop participant, you can regain control of your life and of the things that matter to you. You will be calmer, less worried, and more confident about managing your health. You will meet new people, share what you know, and come up with new ways to address your health conditions. Many program participants say that the workshops have helped them have energy to do more and get relief from their pain, fatigue and other symptoms.
Diabetes PATH workshops may be for you if you are:
• Aged 55 or older with long-term
The Diabetes PATH workshop curriculum includes: exercise and nutrition; medication usage; stress management; talking with your health professionals; and dealing with difficult emotions including depression. These free interactive learning workshops provide opportunities for discussion and problem solving in a mutually supportive small-group setting.
day activities
• Feeling tired, alone, or fearful
• Looking for better ways to
Diabetes PATH is a chronic disease self-management program developed in the early 1990s by the Stanford Center for Research in Patient Education, based on a highly successful arthritis self- management program. It is a credible, evidence-based program
The next Diabetes PATH workshop series is coming up! The six-week class starts on June 5 at the Kool Family Community Center in Battle Creek. Classes will take place every Monday from 1:30pm to 4pm, excluding July 3. Registration is required.
“The Diabetes PATH workshop addresses specific
If you are interested in changing your life for the better, join the next Diabetes PATH workshop by calling CareWell Services SW at (269) 966-2450.
health conditions
• Feeling limited in your day to
manage your symptoms
Caregiver Support Group –NEW from CareWell Services
By: Karen Courtney, Director of Programs, CareWell Services SW
CareWill Services will begin offering a Caregiver Support Group at the Kool Family Community Center this summer.
Frost also facilitates the Wednesday Grief Support Group at the Kool Family Community Center.
said Frost. “ They expressed how much they value the opportunity to meet and share with other caregivers. This new group is a direct result of those conversations.”
Beginning June 8, 2023, the group will meet from 3-4:30pm, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, in the HUB Room on the second floor of the Kool Family Community Center, 200 W. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek.
“So many people have approached me about their caregiving challenges. Attendees at our Dementia Caregiver
Series at Willard Library have brainstormed and problem- solved together about challenging behaviors, self-care concerns, chronic health conditions management, community resources, and other needs,”
CareWell is excited to offer more support to caregivers through this new class.
Linda Frost, dementia and caregiver coordinator at CareWell Services, will facilitate.
If you are caring for an older adult, or for an adult with disabilities, you are invited to attend the Caregiver Support Group. No RSVps are needed, just come!
PROMOTING HEALTH INDEPENDENCE CHOICE