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New Program Helps Women Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes
VNA Care Network & Hospice recently unveiled a new program to help women at risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other diseases make long-term lifestyle changes to improve their health.
Healthy Women, Healthy Lifestyle takes a unique approach by combining health screenings with individual and group counseling over the course of one year.
"When you go for a physical, the doctor may tell you to start exercising or stop smoking and to come back in a year. That's a big challenge for women who don’t have access to resources that will help them make permanent changes or know where to start," said Joan Schaefer, RN, Women's Health Program manager.
Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, nurse educators from VNA Care Network & Hospice will work with women in Danvers, Gloucester, and Haverhill on a year-long project to help them make positive lifestyle changes. Nurses will offer screenings for blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, body mass index, and other measurements that indicate if a woman is at risk for developing health problems.
Participants will choose one or two lifestyle changes they would like to achieve. They'll receive personalized recommendations and support during one-on-one sessions and attend three health education programs on topics such as increasing physical activity, nutrition, and stress reduction. As women work toward their goals, they'll be eligible for prizes that support their new lifestyles.
Women with high blood pressure or other significant risk factor(s) will be referred to a physician. Clients who are uninsured and underinsured and facing financial challenges may also be linked to their local health center for additional health care services.
Healthy Women, Healthy Lifestyle is enrolling women now for this year-long project. To learn more, contact Joan Schaefer at 888-663-3688, ext. 1264 or jschaefer@vnacarenetwork.org.
Posted: Dec. 26, 2008