Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, a not-for-profit member of Hartford HealthCare Senior Services, offers many educational events each year, often in conjunction with area senior centers. Observing current social guidelines and restrictions, the Center for Healthy Aging is continuing to provide pertinent health information through webinars and video conferencing.

For more information about Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, click here or call 1.877.424.4641.

Webinars: Making the Most of Your Telemedicine Visit

During the COVID-19 era, telemedicine visits have been in high demand due to physical distancing measures and expansion of insurance coverage. With this technology, people are able to “meet” with their medical providers without entering the physical office. Three free webinars, “Making the Most of Your Telemedicine Visit,” are being offered to provide information about the different types of virtual services, pros and cons, tips for setting up, use of technology and preparation. Kaitlin Cuas, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will present the programs.

These webinars will be held:

Thursday, July 2, 10 to 11 a.m., (in conjunction with Newington Senior Center). To join the webinar, use this link: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/98524110775.

Tuesday, July 7, 1 to 2 p.m., (in conjunction with Cheshire Senior Center). To join the webinar, use this link: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/97132918843.

Wednesday, July 8, 10 to 11 a.m. (in conjunction with West Hartford Senior Center). To join the webinar, use this link: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/99930921639.

Webinar: Dimensions of Wellness for the Older Adult

As people age, there are more considerations for well-being than just physical health. Mental, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual aspects are all dimensions of life that need to be considered and nurtured. A free webinar, “Dimensions of Wellness for the Older Adult,” will be held Tuesday, July 14, 1 to 2 p.m.

Linda Lawrence, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will present the program. This event is hosted by Cheshire Senior Center and Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging.

No registration is necessary. To join the webinar, link to: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/97061734707.

 Webinar: What is Sepsis?

Sepsis, an infection of the blood, can be life threatening. A free webinar on Tuesday, July 21, 1 to 2 p.m., will provide information about this topic. Nicholas Arsenault, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will facilitate this program. Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and Cheshire Senior Center are hosting this event.

No registration is required. To join the webinar, use this Zoom link: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/97583223625.

Webinar: Home Safety and Fall Reduction for Aging in Place

Many older adults value the comfort of living in their own home. From a clinician’s perspective, there are some considerations worth knowing in terms of environmental modification, fall prevention, and pharmaceutical factors to make home even safer, enabling seniors to be able to safely live at home. The free webinar, “Home Safety and Fall Reduction for Aging in Place,” will be held Wednesday, July 22, 10 to 11 a.m. Kaitlin Cuas, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Health Aging, will lead the event. This program is being held in conjunction with West Hartford Senior Center.

To join the webinar, use this link: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/99521703954.

Webinars: Storm Preparedness – How Can You Be Ready?

Prevention and preparedness build the foundation to make a positive impact when it comes to a medical emergency during a storm. Two free webinars, “Storm Preparedness – How Can You be Ready?” will include the steps to prepare health emergency plans for people with long-term health conditions and essential tips to take before a storm hits. Kaitlin Cuas, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will present the virtual events:

Thursday, July 23, 10-11 a.m. (in conjunction with Newington Senior Center). For more information call Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, 1.877.4AGING1/ 1.877.424.4641.

Wednesday Aug. 5, 10 to 11 a.m., (in conjunction with West Hartford Senior Center). To join the webinar, use this link: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/97788246934.

 Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging offers call-in caregivers support group

Caregivers support groups provide emotional, educational and social support in a positive and uplifting atmosphere for those who care for an older loved one, particularly those with dementia. For many years, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging has offered monthly in-person support groups at numerous senior living communities and senior centers to focus on stages of the disease, communication, strategies and family dynamics.

To observe safe social practices, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging is hosting two call-in caregivers support groups each week led by dementia specialists and resource coordinators. The call-in groups are held Mondays, 10 a.m., and Fridays, 2 p.m. At the meeting time, participants can call 860.972.6338 and enter access code 19623#.

Participants do not need to have attended a caregivers support group in the past. Confidential discussion and telephonic assessments can also be had one-on-one with a dementia professional outside of the online group.

Center for Healthy Aging offers virtual caregiver support groups

In the past, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging hosted monthly in-person caregivers support groups. In observance of social distancing guidelines, some of these groups are now being held via video conferencing. In conjunction with Berlin-Peck Memorial Library, the Center for Healthy Aging virtual caregivers support group is being held on the third Monday of every month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Upcoming dates are: July 20 and Aug. 17.

This group is sponsored by Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association. For Zoom information and to register, call Patty O’Brian, dementia specialist, at 203.859.1992.

Virtual Movement Disorders Caregivers Support Group meets bi-monthly

In deference to social distancing guidelines, the Movement Disorders Caregivers Support Group is being held via video conferencing. The sessions are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. Upcoming dates are July 7 and 21, and Aug. 4 and 18. Meetings begin with a brief clinician-led presentation and each session spotlights a different caregiver/care partner topic. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own experiences. This support group is sponsored by Chase Family Movement Disorder Center and Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging.

Facilitators are Jennifer McCaughey, of Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, and Amanda Brill and Jennifer Lambert of the Chase Family Movement Disorder Center.

To join the webinar, use the link https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/91992294761. For more information or to RSVP, email Amanda.brill@hhchealth.org or jennifer.mccaughey@hhchealth.org.

Webinar: Ending Loneliness: Finding a Meaningful Life

Loneliness is recognized as a public health issue. The research evidence is clear that loneliness affects individuals’ physical, mental and emotional health. A free webinar on Wednesday, July 8, 10 to 11 a.m., will examine the causes of loneliness and include meaningful ways to lead a fulfilling life. Amina Weiland, resource coordinator with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging will facilitate. This event is being presented by Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging and Windsor Senior Center.

To join the webinar, RSVP to Windsor Senior Center, 860.285.1992.

Webinars: The Pursuit of Men’s Health: A Path to Health & Wellness

There is much that goes into staying healthy – eating well, exercising and having regular checkups. However, there are key issues that men should address and there are certain questions that they should ask. Nicholas Arsenault, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, will discuss important health topics related to helping men stay healthy and on the road to long-term wellness.

The two free webinars, “The Pursuit of Men’s Health: A Path to Health & Wellness,” will be offered:

Tuesday, July 28, 1 to 2 p.m., (in conjunction with Cheshire Senior Center). No registration is required. To join the webinar, use this link: https://hartfordhealthcare.zoom.us/j/99628865608 .

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 10 to 11 a.m., (in conjunction with Windsor Senior Center). RSVP to Windsor Senior Center, 860.285.1992.

Center for Healthy Aging presents virtual five-part dementia caregiver series

A free, five-part virtual dementia caregiving series can provide the tips and strategies to gain greater insights into caring for a loved one with dementia. Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging is providing two five-week series, one in July and the second in August. Dementia specialists and resource coordinators will lead the programs.

Each series will cover:

  • Session 1 – Overview of Dementia.
  • Session 2 – Basics of Good Communication and Understanding Behaviors.
  • Session 3 – Safety in the Environment and How to Structure a Day with Activities.
  • Session 4 – Taking Care of the Caregiver and Care Options.
  • Session 5 – Overview of Community Resources that May Be Helpful.

The first series will be held Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 1 to 2:30 p.m. No registration is required. The Zoom virtual meeting ID number is 935 6949 4817.

The second series will be held Mondays, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m. No registration is required. The Zoom virtual meeting ID number is 941 0181 5848.