Health & Wellness

 

Thinking About Advance Care Planning

Presented by Bayada Hospice

Thursday, March 7, 1:00 pm

Advance Care Planning is about more than simply filling out the forms and filing them at the lawyer’s office or in your safe deposit box. It involves asking yourself important questions about what you value and what really matters. It involves thinking about how you want to live your life to the very end. And, it involves talking about it. Join Cynthia Stadler APRN, Community Liaison for BAYADA Hospice to discuss Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning. She will clarify terms and explain the various forms, talk about how to make the forms a living document, and how to increase the probability your wishes will be followed at end of life.

In addition to this talk, The Thompson Center offers an Advanced Directive Clinic on the second Monday of each month. Trained volunteers are available by appointment to explain the document and answer any questions.

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Water Aerobics Class

Woodstock Athletic Club

Fridays, March 8—May 17, 2019

1:30 – 2:15 pm,  Cost: $80 for 10 week class

The Thompson Center will provide shuttle service to and from class if needed. Please register in 

advance by calling 457-3277. Payment is due at time of reservation and must be received prior to the start of class series.

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Fall Prevention Clinic at The Thompson

Provided by Upper Valley Rehab Physical Therapists

Wednesday, March 13, 8:30-10:30 by appointment

Falls are not a normal part of aging and can result in more serious injuries over time, but the risks can be reduced by working on all the possible causes.

Upper Valley Rehab will be offering a Fall Prevention Clinic at the Thompson Center and will provide free comprehensive fall risk Screenings for people who have fallen or who have a fear of falling. At the Clinic/Assessment, a licensed physical therapist will ask participants to complete a fall assessment screen which will include a history of previous falls and what might be causing them. Additionally, a therapist will screen participant’s gait, balance, range of motion, strength and sensation and ask questions regarding home environment, fear of falling concerns, and pertinent medical history that can contribute to falls. This total assessment will include your screen results, which can be sent to your primary care physician, and recommendations for treatment if needed. Each comprehensive assessment is about fifteen minutes and will require an appointment.

Please wear or bring the shoes you wear most often inside and outside of your home. Please bring devices you use for walking like a cane or walker.

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Hand or Foot Reflexology

Offered by Deborah Neuhof, Certified Reflexologist

Tuesdays, March 12 & 26, 9:30 – 12:30 pm

$30 for 30 minutes

Experience Reflexology techniques to de-stress and promote a balanced, wholistic well-being. Loose clothing recommended. Call in advance to make your appointment.

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Chair Massage

Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:00 am

$15 for 15 minutes

Massage Therapist Sara Smith will offer 15 minute massages or you can ask for more or less time at the time of your reservation. Be kind to yourself and treat yourself to a chair massage by calling The Thompson.

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Skating Opportunities at Union Arena

Public Skate – Tuesday, 11:00 to 12:15 pm

Stick & Puck – Wednesday, 11:00 to 12:00 pm

Public Skate – Wednesday, 2:00 to 3:10 pm

The Union Arena offers opportunities to skate when the ice rink is less populated and more open, with exception of vacation weeks. Public skate is $5.00. For more information about ice time including the Adult Stick and Puck program, visit www.unionarena.org.

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Dental Health Care for Older Adults

Presented by Kristin Schiessl-Alf, RDH and Jayne Hull, Patient Coordinator

Thursday, March 21, 1:00 pm

 By the year 2030, twenty percent of the U.S. population will be age 65 or older. In Vermont, this percentage is expected to be even greater, at twenty-nine percent. Historically, as people have aged, their oral health has declined. However, a combination of advances in dental technology, public health initiatives, and continued education from dental professionals has allowed people of all ages to improve and maintain their oral health. 

Kristin Schiessll-Alf, Registered Dental Hygienist with thirty-three years of experience, and Jayne Hull, Patient Coordinator, with over twenty years of experience, have worked together for many years at Dr. Mark Knott’s and Dr. J. David Laughlin’s offices. Kristin and Jayne will offer a brief, interactive presentation on Dental Health Care for older adults at the Thompson  Center. Topics will include: prescription medications and dry mouth, the relationship between oral bacteria and chronic systemic diseases, periodontal disease, jaw joint and jaw muscle issues, and prevention of tooth decay.

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FITNESS H2O on FREE SENIOR FRIDAYS at

Upper Valley Aquatic Center

 9:15 – 10:10 am

Open swimming available from 9-11 am

A low-impact, low-intensity class in the shallow-water, focusing on overall strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility. Seniors get in free to all of UVAC facility Fridays 9-11am!  This is a free walk-in class for those 65 and older. All fitness levels are welcome.

Transportation provided by The Thompson Center upon request.

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20 REASONS TO TAKE TAI CHI at the Thompson Center

Next round of 5 classes starts Wed. Feb. 13^th 9:30 -10:30 – $15

 

1. Improves balance
2. Improves coordination
3. May lower blood pressure
4. May help control blood sugar levels
5. May help you sleep better!
6. Reduce arthritis pain
7. It’s fun to learn something new
8. Can improve posture
9. Two teachers—more individual attention
10. Great social activity
11. Helps prevent falls
12. Can reduce stress
13. Improves leg strength
14. We start with a short form
15. Enjoy gentle, low-impact movement
16. No competition, no pressure
17. Low cost
18. Scholarship assistance available
19. Mindful, meditative practice
20. We laugh a lot!

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Second Tuesday of each month

10:00 am – 11:00 am

VeggieVanGo, a mobile nutrition program of the Vermont Foodbank, will be coming to Mt. Ascutney Hospital once a month to provide FREE fresh produce for people facing hunger. So if you know of an individual, family or patient who might benefit from receiving a delivery of fresh, healthy veggies, you can help by sharing this information and encouraging them to pick up their FREE vegetables. And if you, or members of your family could benefit from the program, we hope you’ll come too! Visit Vermont Foodbank for more information.