Healthy Living for ME receives grant to expand 2 programs

AUGUSTA – A recently awarded grant allows Healthy Living for ME and its partners at the state’s Regional Agency on Aging to expand the reach of two programs, Bingocize and Building Better Caregivers.

The AgingME: Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program at the University of New England provided Healthy Living for ME with the grant to fund the expansion of the program.

“This award is an exciting opportunity to host two important workshops in all regions of Maine. It’s also recognition of the work our partners have already done to provide communities with falls prevention and caregiver education, ”said Maija Dyke, Contracts and Business Manager for Healthy Living for ME, according to a statement. press release from the national network. “Building Better Caregivers and Bingocize both address important health and wellness issues for Mainers. “

Building better caregivers enables people to learn and receive support from others who have similar caregiving experiences. This is an interactive six-session workshop that helps caregivers of all types (family, formal, informal, etc.) with traumatic stress disorder.

Participants can learn techniques such as how to identify and manage their care partners’ triggers for behaviors and how to track this information in a behavior journal. Other topics covered during the workshop include caregiver stress management, decision making and planning for the future, effective communication with family, friends and healthcare professionals, related legal issues. to caregiving and hiring help.

Bingocize promotes healthy aging using a play-centric approach. An evidence-based 10-week program, Bingocize combines bingo, exercise and knowledge to prevent falls and improve people’s quality of life the elderly and people at risk of falling. The interactive program has been shown to benefit participants by improving walking speed, flexibility, strength and agility, in addition to improving blood pressure.

Bingocize’s health education program covers topics such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, fall risk reduction, and medication health.

Building Better Caregivers and Bingocize can be offered in person or in virtual format depending on the host organization. For more information on individual workshops as they are scheduled, or to register, visit Healthylivingforme.org, email [email protected], or call 800-620-6036.

Healthy Living for ME also welcomes referrals from healthcare providers. Its evidence-based programming can help patients manage and prevent conditions before they get worse or lead to emergencies.