Ashlar Of Newtown Slates Fall Health Program Series

The Learning Center at Ashlar of Newtown, Toddy Hill Road, and Lockwood Lodge, its assisted living community, are offering a series of free programs this fall for their residents and members of the community. 

 “Diets That Protect Against Cancer” will be offered October 18 from 1 to 3 pm at Lockwood Lodge. This course will heighten understanding of the advantages of a high fiber/low fat diet. Participants will learn the important role that fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains play in the fight against cancer. They will learn to evaluate how cancer protective their current diets are and learn strategies for making their diets anti-cancer ones.

“Living Longer Tastes Great” will be offered November 15 from 1 to 3 pm at Lockwood Lodge. This course helps participants make a workable plan to decrease sugar and fat in their diets. It will offer practical tips for modifying recipes and excellent tips for eating out. It will also cover some basic pitfalls to avoid during the holidays.

“Teaching the Heart and Healing the Hurt,” will be offered by Linda Napier, RN, on November 3 from 10 am to 4 pm at Lockwood Lodge. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Ms Napier has designed a ful- day course on the basics of helping loved ones. This course will help participants connect with their inner selves in order to be able to help heal their own and others’ pain and tension.

Lunch and Learn is a series of educational lectures presented free of charge to the community. The program provides mature adults with the latest information about health care decisions, living well, and a healthy lifestyle. A complimentary lunch is provided from noon to 12:30 pm followed by the lecture presentation from 12:30 to 1:30 pm and a question and answer period from 1:30 to 2 pm.

On October 9, Betty Scheithe, CHOICES program assistant for the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, will discuss “Medicare: Your Rights and Options.”

“Common Sense Approaches to Caring for People with Dementia” will be presented on November 13 by Sharon Linet, director of patient care services at Ashlar.

On December 11, “Preventing Identity Theft: Protecting Your Privacy and Your Good Name” will be discussed by Lynne Grant, consumer educator, University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System.

Pre-registration is required. To register, call Hilda DeLucia, community resources manager, at 203-364-3127.

“Long Term Care Insurance” will be presented by Maria Corrado, RN, long term care specialist, Senior Insurance Services, on October 3 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at Lockwood Lodge. The program is free with a complimentary lunch.

 Ashlar’s chaplain, the Rev Anne Baltzell, is accepting applications for the “Lay Training in Geriatric Ministry” program, an award-winning program that teaches basic ministry skills to community volunteers. These volunteers then devote up to four hours a week of spiritual care for a year to Ashlar of Newtown residents. It is open to individuals of all faiths.

Participants take part in a ten-week course, which offers such topics as pastoral conversations with elderly persons, grief and loss, and ethical issues in the nursing home setting.

Skills learned may be applied to ministry in church and community. Monthly continuing education and support sessions are offered following training.

For additional information, call Chaplain Baltzell at Ashlar of Newtown at 203-364-3146.