News Articles

10 Keys to Wellness

Date: 02/24/2009

Healthier Lifestyle series...

A healthier lifestyle begins with VNA’s new monthly education series.

Stop smoking. Lower your blood pressure. Prevent bone loss. These are just three of the steps outlined in the 10 Keys™ program as part of an action plan for healthy living.

Developed by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Healthy Aging, this community wellness campaign, which is aimed at individuals age 50 and older, identifies 10 key behaviors and risk factors that affect quality of life and the ability to live independently. The program addresses the underlying causes of diseases and disabling conditions that can be reduced, postponed or eliminated through lifestyle changes.

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting wellness in Armstrong County, VNA will be offering the 10 Keys™ course in several locations throughout the community. The program will begin with a health assessment followed by a series of discussions on each of the 10 topics. Participants will have the opportunity to set personal goals and action steps as well as to engage in activities to practice newly acquired skills. All sessions will be facilitated by a nurse.

The holistic approach advocated by 10 Keys™ can ultimately lead to big payoffs, such as freedom from cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory problems as well as maintenance of good physical and cognitive function. The principles of the program are supported by gerontology research, which has shown that older adults who improve their lifestyle do experience significant improvement in health and that these improvements are possible at any age.

The VNA 10 Keys™ groups will meet for one hour per month; meeting dates and locations are as follows:

Elderton Primary Care Center
First meeting: February 11 at 3:00 p.m.
Meetings continue on the second Wednesday of every month through December.

Cowansville Area Health Center
First meeting: February 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Meetings continue on the third Wednesday of each month through November.

Ondich Rural Health Center
First meeting: February 11 at 1:00 p.m.
Meetings continue on the second Wednesday of every month through November.

Leechburg Primary Care Center
First meeting: February 25 at 10:00 a.m.
Meetings continue on the fourth Wednesday of every month through November.

For more information or to register, please call VNA toll-free at 1-877-862-6659. This program is made possible by a grant from the Armstrong Center for Medicine and Health (ACMH) Medical Staff.