UW Healthy U Program Offers Free In-Person, Virtual Workshops

The Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA) at the University of Wyoming will offer a free Healthy U workshop series with in-person and virtual options for Wyoming residents.

The next virtual Healthy U workshop series begins Oct. 11 and will meet each Tuesday from 5:30-8 p.m. through Nov. 15, with an optional information session Oct. 4. In-person workshops also will be held in various locations throughout the year.

In the past, the program has been offered throughout Wyoming in a variety of settings, including in senior centers, public health organizations, hospitals and rural health clinics. Virtual workshops enable participants to learn skills and receive support from the comfort of their homes. Participants can connect using a smartphone, tablet or computer. One-on-one technical assistance will be provided.

“Now is the perfect time to take charge of your health, and Healthy U can help you do that,” says Larry Goodwin, a WyCOA project coordinator. “Healthy U will be offered virtually on a rolling basis, as well as in-person workshops around the state.”

Developed by Stanford University, the program has proven to improve symptoms related to a wide variety of chronic conditions; build confidence in managing health conditions; and increase physical activity.

Chronic conditions include anything that affects someone on a day-to-day basis such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, chronic pain, anxiety, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia, Goodwin says.

During the workshops, participants receive support from trained leaders and other workshop participants to learn practical ways to manage their pain and fatigue; learn about nutrition and exercise options; understand new treatment choices; and learn better ways to communicate about their conditions with doctors and family members.

The goal of the program is to help people better manage their health conditions and deal with the frustration, fatigue and pain that can accompany a chronic disease, Goodwin adds.

To register for in-person or virtual workshops, click here.

To learn more about programs offered by WyCOA, visit www.uwyo.edu/healthierwyo/.