The Mosque Foundation and AgeOptions Offer Classes to Help Adults Learn to Thrive With Chronic Health Conditions

Distributed by the www.ArabAmericanNewsWire.com

The Mosque Foundation and AgeOptions Offer Classes to Help Adults Learn to Thrive With Chronic Health Conditions

(November 30, 2011 – Bridgeview, IL) Adults are invited to join a series of free classes to help them learn to thrive, not simply survive, with chronic health conditions. The series will be held at The Mosque Foundation, 7360 W. 93rd St. in Bridgeview, IL. The series begins on Monday, December 12, 2011 and runs from 10:30am – 1:00pm. More series will be scheduled as well for those interested.

Take Charge of Your Health is an interactive series of six workshops offered throughout suburban Cook County. The ongoing workshops are sponsored by AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, and made possible through a grant from the U.S Administration of Aging via the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The program uses the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by Stanford University. Research has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving participants’ health outcomes.

Each series of workshops is taught by two trained class leaders. Participants learn:

* Coping with fatigue, frustration, pain and isolation that may be related to ongoing health conditions
* Exercising to maintain and improve strength, flexibility and endurance
* Using medications
* Communicating with family, friends and health professionals
* Practicing good nutrition
* Evaluating new treatment options
* Problem solving around the ongoing health condition
* Brainstorming and other techniques

The free class sessions meet two and one-half hours per week for six weeks.

Participants set their own goals and work on goals they want to accomplish while learning how to manage pain and other symptoms. “The workshops allow older adults to meet people, share what they know and come up with new ways to improve their lives,” said Maria Oquendo-Scharneck, AgeOptions health and diversity coordinator.

Participants in previous classes report:

* Feeling better
* Feeling relief from pain, fatigue and symptoms related to chronic disease
* Having more energy
* Being more confident
* Feeling in control of their lives
* Feeling connected to others with similar issues

For more information or to register call The Mosque Foundation at (708) 430-5666, or contact Maria D. Oquendo-Scharneck at (708) 383-0258 or takecharge@ageoptions.org.

AgeOptions is a nonprofit organization located in Oak Park, IL, that has served the older adults of suburban Cook County and their caregivers as an Area Agency on Aging since 1974. For more information, please visit the Agency web site at www.ageoptions.org