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Direction Home Akron Canton offers a variety of proactive Health & Wellness workshops that are designed to keep aging individuals healthier longer. How? By teaching them how to reduce falls by gaining strength. Our programs offer innovative, evidence-based disease prevention/health promotion education with curriculums developed by a team of physicians, biologists, public health researchers and educators.
But the best part? All workshops are FREE and open to the public. Registration is required to attend (available in the workshop calendar details). Or, keep scrolling to learn more about how to become a volunteer leader or host site.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention helps people with or without arthritis to improve balance, both mentally and physically, helping to significantly reduce the rate of falls.
Other benefits include improving relaxation, vitality, posture, and the immune system. Studies have shown that tai chi can reduce falls by nearly 70%. The program focuses on building confidence, which is linked closely to the reducing the risk of falling. 1-hour classes meet twice per week for 8 weeks and include:
- Warm-up and cool-down exercises
- One or two movements per class, progressively leading to completing six basic core movements and six advanced extension movements
- Breathing techniques
- Tai chi principles relating to improving physical and mental balance
Because the workshop gradually builds strength and complexity, it is recommended to attend a minimum of 12 of the 16 sessions.
Bingocize
Bingocize combines the classic BINGO game with exercise and information about nutrition, and/or falls prevention. Bingocize is led by a trained workshop leader twice a week (45-60 minute sessions) for 10 weeks. Win prizes, make new friends, and get healthy today! Because the workshop gradually builds strength and complexity, it is recommended to attend a minimum of 15 of the 20 sessions.
Introducing: Aging is an Art Form!
Unlock your creative potential and connect with your community through our newest initiative, Aging is an Art Form. This innovative program proves that creativity has no age limit. By bringing older adults together with a diverse range of artistic mediums, we aim to foster a vibrant environment where expression meets wellness.
Research shows that engaging with the arts can significantly improve cognitive health, reduce feelings of isolation, and enhance overall life satisfaction. Whether you are a lifelong artist or picking up a brush for the first time, Aging is an Art Form offers a supportive space.
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Click on an event for more details and to register
We are looking for Host Sites and Volunteer Leaders to help us share these programs! Is that you?
Choose either of our evidence-based workshops - Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention or Bingocize.
Benefits to becoming a Host Site or Volunteer Leader:
- New and fun ways to reach your older adult population!
- Direction Home covers the cost of leader training and class materials.
- Ongoing support from Direction Home.
- Compensation for Host Sites and Volunteer Leaders.
- Host sites can receive a one time $50 stipend for the use of their space and an additional $50 per workshop completer (participant attending a minimum of 75% of the individual sessions in a full workshop).
- Volunteer leaders can receive $50 for each session led in a full workshop.
CLICK HERE to request information about becoming a volunteer leader.
CLICK HERE for details and requirements for becoming a Host Site or Volunteer Leader.
Interested in attending, leading, or hosting any of these programs? Contact Lori Smith, Training Coordinator at lsmith@dhad.org or 330.899.5255 for more information.
Web-Based Education for Seniors and Caregivers:
Contact Theresa Niewiadomski at tniewiadomski@dhad.org for information about the Active Daily Living website.