Through the Healthscope program, health care professionals offer programs emphasizing wellness and disease prevention at senior centers throughout the county. Topics include vision screening, diabetes self-management, stress management, hearing screenings, weight management, cancer education and screening, arthritis management and much more. Blood pressure screenings are held on a regular basis at most senior centers. Fitness programs, including those adapted for frail participants, and nutrition education seminars are also available. In some instances, screening has detected a problem in the early stages allowing for successful treatment. BCDA, as part of a statewide grant with Maryland Department of Aging, is offering a series of workshops for people with chronic conditions, modeled after the Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop from Stanford University.
A chronic condition is a medical condition that may cause suffering and of loss of physical abilities over time. Examples of some chronic conditions are diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, lung disease, asthma and depression.
These workshops (PDF) are offered free of charge to anyone 18 years of age and older either having or living with someone with a chronic condition. The workshops run for six-weeks, two and a half hours a week, and are facilitated by laymen, not professionals. Does the need for intimacy change with age? Who says you are too old? Why can't I be sexual? Sex education is not just for the young. Older adults' sexual desires do not have to fade as one ages. Join Planned Parenthood of Maryland as they present an educational series on how to stay happy, healthy and socially connected as one grows older. Our desire to have sex does not have an expiration date. The chances are good that we can continue to enjoy sex as long as we desire. For more information, contact Senior Information and Assistance at 410-887-2594. Attend a presentation at a BCDA senior center.
Throughout 2009, the Department of Aging will be presenting programs to educate older adults to live every moment. Do the things now that you always wanted to do! Today's world offers many opportunities to improve your health and well being through medical advances and access to information through the Internet. Throughout 2009, Baltimore County Department of Aging is offering 12 topics in 19 senior centers to show how to optimize your quality of life and thus extending life's warranty. October Topic: Does Mother Nature Have The Answers? Naturopathic Medicine: How It Works Did you know that making simple changes to your daily routine can increase your energy level and improve how you feel? Would you like to learn simple strategies that will help your family and friends improve their well-being? Naturopathic medicine may help you to find the answers to these questions. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care -- a combination of art, science, and philosophy and diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness. Attend a free session at a Baltimore County senior center. November Topic: Moving To The Future, Exercise and Physical Activity Get up and get moving! Learn the proper ways to start an exercise program with some helpful hints to help aid a novice exerciser. Please join in the Moving to the Future Program to learn more about exercise and physical activity. December Topic: Vision Screenings Your eyesight is a precious gift. Protect it! Free vision screenings provided by Maryland Society for Sight and Parris Castoro at all 19 BCDA senior centers. Flu Shot Clinics Baltimore County Department of Aging, in partnership with Maxim Health Services, is pleased to announce flu shot clinics at all Baltimore County senior centers .
Free flu/pneumonia shots: Medicare B Beneficiaries/Bravo Health participants. Free flu shots/pneumonia shots $45: Aetna participants. Cost to all others: $30/flu, $45/pneumonia. Medicare Care/Health Insurance Card Required. Cash or check made payable to Maxim Health Systems. Senior Smiles The Department of Aging has partnered with The Community College of Baltimore County’s School of Health Professions Dental Hygiene Program – Dundalk Campus to offer preventative oral dental care to seniors who have no dental insurance. The program provides basic preventative dental services to seniors over 60 years of age at no charge. Basic services include: dental screening, cleaning, x-rays and fluoride treatment. To learn more contact your local senior center, or call Senior Information and Assistance at 410-887-2594. Revised October 2, 2009 | 
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