LifeSpan Resources is committed to offering a variety of health services and evidence-based wellness programs in our community. Monthly health screenings and nutrition education programs are available at our congregate nutrition centers and community locations. In addition, wellness programs are offered on a regular basis at our congregate centers, as well as through partnerships with local YMCAs and parks departments.
For more information on any of these programs, please contact Ramona Miller at 812-206- 7936.
Programs & Classes
Class offerings, schedules and screenings vary over the course of a year in location and workshops. Please check with LifeSpan Resources for current dates and times for programs listed.
Some of our current offerings include:
Tai Chi for Arthritis Medical authorities agree that suitable exercise for people with arthritis should incorporate components that can improve muscular strength, flexibility, and fitness.
Increased muscular strength supports and protects joints, which will reduce pain. Flexibility exercises also help to reduce pain and stiffness, thus improving mobility. Stamina or fitness is important for overall health and proper function of your heart, lungs and muscles.
Tai Chi for Arthritis helps people with arthritis to improve all these and more. It improves balance both mentally and physically thus significantly reduces the rate of fall of the older adults. Additional benefits include improving relaxation, vitality, posture, and immunity.
Tai Chi for Arthritis is offered at our Joe Rhoads Senior Center in Corydon, Indiana with certified Master Rick Haines as our instructor. Rick teaches the class two days per week at the center.
Walk with Ease
Walk With Ease is a 6-week walking, exercising and education program proven to reduce pain, increase balance and strength, and improve overall health. The program will help motivate you to get in great shape and allow you to walk safely and comfortably. Several of LifeSpan Resource’s congregate centers offer this fun, group-walking program on a regular basis.
A Matter of Balance
A Matter of Balance is an 8-week structured group intervention that emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and exercise to increase strength and balance. This program is offered through various community partnerships. Please call Ramona Miller for current workshop dates: 812- 206-7936.
Bingocize
Bingocize® is a 10-week, evidence-based health promotion program that combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of bingo, which is a great and fun way to get people moving and socializing. It’s meant to be played twice a week on nonconsecutive days. Each session usually lasts 45-60 minutes. We have various “curriculum” workshops such as Exercise Only, Falls Prevention, and Nutrition, so there is always a variety of information presented.
The overall goals of the program are to help older adults:
- Improve and/or maintain mobility and independence
- Learn and use health information focused on falls reduction, improved nutrition, and other health related behaviors
- Engage older adults in social settings
Bingocizers complete a series of strategically inserted exercises designed to increase or decrease the intensity and volume of exercise. Health education questions are also inserted into the game. Participants rest while numbers are called for the bingo game, then complete strategically inserted exercises or health education questions, resting again during number calling, and so on. This pattern is continued until a Bingocizer wins the game. Small prizes (some included with program) are awarded to winners. Additional games are played until all planned exercises are completed.
Bingocize® is an evidence-based program that meets the highest-level criteria for disease prevention and health promotion programs, as established by the Active Community Living/Administration on Aging (ACL/AoA) Evidence-Based Programs Review Committee.
Stepping On
Stepping On is a falls prevention workshop that meets for 2 hours a week for 7 weeks. Trained leaders coach you to recognize your risk of falling and help you build the balance, strength, and practical skills you need to avoid a fall.
You’ll also meet with physical therapists, vision specialists, pharmacists, and community safety experts who help you avoid fall hazards, make your home safer, and make your body stronger. You’ll gain the confidence to stay active in your community and do the things you want to do.
Stepping On helps you build confidence in your ability to manage your falls risk.
You’ll learn:
- To identify and remove fall hazards from your home
- To see and avoid fall hazards out in your community.
- To get back on your feet the right way if you fall
- How vision and hearing affect your risk of falling
- To use walking aids the right way
- To choose safe footwear for all your activities
- Strength and balance exercises you can adapt to your individual level
- How medications play a role in your risk of falls
If you answer “yes” to the following, its time to take steps to prevent a fall with Stepping On:
- Are you 60 or older?
- Have you fallen in the past year-even if you weren’t injured?
- Do you have a fear of falling? Or worry that you or someone you live with might fall?
- Do you live at a home or in an independent apartment?
Stepping On workshops are not designed for older adults who:
- Use a walker indoors or a wheelchair full-time
- Have dementia or cognitive impairment
