Local seniors graduate
Published 9:01 am Saturday, August 13, 2011
A graduation party was held for participants of the “Living with Chronic Health Conditions” class at the Camellia Senior Center. Back row from left to right, Karen Crawford of the SCADC, Comer Blackmon, Myra Blackmon, Tracy Scott, Linda Osborn, Magnolia Edwards, Bennie Payne, Judy Rogers, James Rogers, Velma Blackmon, Dorothy Williams. Front row from left to right, Suzanne Foshee, Cathy Brown, Mary Wedgeworth of the SCADC and Katie Thomas. (Advocate Staff/Angie Long)
A group of local seniors graduated this week — senior citizens, that is. The group participated in a six-week course, “Living With Chronic Health Conditions,” held at the Camellia Senior Center, and the 10 had a graduation party to mark their successful completion of the course.
Led by Suzanne Foshee and Katie Thomas of Comfort Care Home Health and Hospice, the class, sponsored by the SCADC Area Agency on Aging, included proven strategies for helping people to learn to live with and successfully manage chronic ailments such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease.
“We actually formulated action plans and worked on problem-solving skills and brainstorming. The goal is to help the class members become self-managers and be more proactive,” Foshee said.
“Because it is a closed class, our class members were able to share issues and know the discussions would be confidential.”
Positive thinking strategies, guided imagery and relaxation techniques were also taught, and information was shared on creating advanced directives/living wills.
“I can honestly say the class has helped me,” said participant Bennie Payne.
“It’s been a fun and really good class,” said Senior Nutrition Center Manager Cathy Brown. “We’ve shared a lot of laughs and some of the frustrations we all deal with.”
