Farmington Valley Health Offers Classes For Chronically Ill

SIMSBURY/CANTON, CT — A regional health department serving several towns will host a six-week workshop starting Monday, March 17, for adults battling chronic health issues.

The program is called "Live Well" and it is being hosted by the Canton-based Farmington Valley Health District, which serves the towns of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartland, New Hartford, and Simsbury.

"Live Well" classes, which are free, will take place on Mondays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Simsbury Senior Center in Eno Memorial Hall, 754 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury.

The first class is on Monday, March 17, and the classes will take place weekly every Monday through April 21.

The "Live Well" style of classes was developed at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., and it focuses on coping techniques and lifestyle changes to manage medical conditions.

According to the FVHD, "Live Well" is especially useful for those with chronic medical issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, depression, pain, and anxiety.

The classes are also useful for those caring for someone with those conditions.

For example, classes will delve into techniques to deal with stress, pain and fatigue, along with ways for those afflicted to communicate their issues with family, friends and doctors.

It also will focus on healthy eating and exercise options.

To register for the program, call Kathleen Marschall of the Simsbury Senior Center at 860-658-3200.