GENERATIONS TO OFFER ONLINE PROGRAM – LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS: According to the National Council on Aging, about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 68% have at least two. Many adults with conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and others struggle to find ways to manage their condition. Generations will be offering a free ONLINE 6-week course, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, every Tuesday beginning March 30, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. This program will address issues faced by individuals dealing with chronic disease. Some of the topics discussed during the course of this program are: techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep; decision-making skills to better deal with medication use and treatment options; exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance; pacing activity and rest; nutrition gaps; and action planning. For more information, or to register, please contact Cathy Jones at 812-888-5159.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUTD FALLS?

Have you turned down a chance to go out with family or friends because you were concerned about falling? Have you cut down on a favorite activity because you might fall? If so, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls can help. Fear of falling can be just as dangerous as falling itself. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in severe physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. Many older adults also experience increased isolation and depression when they limit their interactions with family and friends. A Matter of Balance can help people improve their quality of life and remain independent. This program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance. If you would be interested in attending a Matter of Balance class in your area, please contact Cathy Jones with Generations at 812-888-5159 or by e-mail at [email protected].

DO YOU CONSUME TOO MUCH SODIUM?

March is Nutrition Awareness Month, and as many of us know, consuming too much sodium in our daily diet can cause health issues such as high blood pressure – especially as we age. Here are some ideas from the National Institutes of Health to help you to lower your sodium intake:

• Lower your sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg a day (about a teaspoon of salt). That includes sodium added during packaging, cooking, and at the table when eating.

• Read the Nutrition Facts label on foods and beverages to find the sodium content.

• Buy foods and beverages that are low in sodium.

• Limit how much packaged and fast foods and beverages you consume.

• Use less salt when cooking and eating.

• Cook with lemon and spices that have no sodium.

GENERATIONS MAGAZINE: Our magazine is geared toward adults in pre-retirement and retirement years and promotes active aging and preventive health. It is published three times a year and is free to subscribers. All we need is your name and address. If you would like to receive future copies of the magazine, contact Brenda Hancock at 812-888-5146 or [email protected].

Generations, Area 13 Agency on Aging & Disability, is a program of Vincennes University’s Community Services Division. Our agency connects individuals and caregivers to community resources and options for long-term care and in-home services. For more information, call 1-800-742-9002 or 812-888-5880 or visit our website at www.generationsnetwork.org

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