Healthier Living Workshop
Debra Varner and Melinda Barnes
Many people have a chronic health condition or lengthy recovery in which they have become the manager of their own situation, partnering with their doctors and other health care providers who only step in as needed. This interactive workshop provides adults with a wide range of very effective tools and techniques, developed by Stanford School of Medicine, to self manage their health.
Students are introduced to techniques--such as fall prevention, mind-body activities, communication, and action plans--which are also demonstrated. They then work together with each other and the facilitators to try each technique and learn how to incorporate the tools best suited to their various situations.
The workshop is designed to leave students with many new ways to self-manage their condition after the workshop ends, and the means to develop new habits including setting goals, solving problems, developing a partner relationship with their doctors, and seeking out health information.
Week 1- Introduction, goal setting, chronic vs acute condition, mind-body, distraction
Week 2- Problem solving, dealing with difficult emotions, physical activity, preventing falls, goal setting
Week 3- Making decisions, pain/fatigue management , endurance exercise, relaxation body scan, goal setting
Week 4- Better breathing, healthy eating, communication skills, problem solving, goal setting
Week 5- Healthy food choices, medication usage, informed treatment decisions, depression management,positive thinking, goal setting
Week 6-Problem solving, working with health care team, weight management, looking back/planning for Future
Debra Varner retired as Director of SF State OLLI in late 2012. She has recently trained as a Healthier Living facilitator and looks forward to working with the OLLI community once again. She currently serves as a volunteer mediator with Community Boards of San Francisco and the Office of Citizen Complaints, is President of Bethany Center Foundation of San Francisco, takes OLLI classes and continues to follow her passion of serving our elder community towards living well and flourishing. She spends as much time as possible with her 3-year-old grandson, Joaquin, and husband, Michael, traveling and enjoying family time.
Melinda Barnes effectively uses her corporate world presentation skills to create a workshop setting conducive to learning, sharing, listening. She has facilitated many Healthier Living workshops held by the San Francisco Healthier Living Coalition with diverse participants during the past 2 years. Her energy and empathy help make the workshop a successful one for participants.
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