August 2020 Newsletter: Online Wellness Classes to Combat Isolation and Loneliness During Pandemic
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appears in the August 2020 LIFTT Connection Newsletter

As in person classes and groups that many rely on remain suspended;The Independent Living Research Utilization’s IL Net and the Partners in Care Foundation have teamed up to provide access to several online wellness programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Programs offered include:
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
Participate in low-impact exercises and gentle activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion, and to help maintain muscle strength. Sessions take place for 1 hour twice per week for 6 weeks. All you need is an internet-connected device with a camera to participate.
Bingocize
Try Bingocize at home to exercise and connect with others! It’s a 10-week online health promotion program combining Bingo with fall prevention exercises and health education. Bingo games are twice per week for 1 hour. All you need is an internet-connected device to get the fun started. (English only)
Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
If you or someone you love is dealing with ongoing pain, this workshop is for you. Workshop participants report less pain, more energy, and improved independence! This is an online workshop with 2 ½-hour sessions, once per week, for 6 weeks. All you need is an internet-connected device to participate.
Diabetes Self-Management Program
If you or someone you care for has diabetes, you know it can feel like it’s taking over your life. But there are things you can do to feel better and take control of your health! This online workshop has 2 ½-hour sessions, once per week, for 6 weeks. All you need is an internet-connected device to participate.
Healthier Living
This program teaches practical everyday skills like problem-solving, nutritious eating, and relaxation techniques that help those living with chronic conditions. This online workshop consists of 2 ½-hour sessions, once per week for 6 weeks. All you need is an internet-connected device to participate.
Healthier Living Tool Kit
Know someone without access to a computer or internet that would benefit from learning more about Healthier Living? This workshop is for them! Participants receive a mailed tool kit that walks them through information focused on better managing their health. They participate through small group phone calls for 30 minutes, once per week, for 6 weeks. All they need to participate is a phone.
Diabetes Self-Management Tool Kit
If you know someone who would like to better manage their diabetes but doesn’t have access to the internet, this workshop may be a good fit for them! Participants receive a mailed tool kit with tools to manage diabetes and participate in small group phone calls for 30 minutes, once per week, for 6 weeks. All they need to participate is a phone. Available starting in late May.
Diabetes Prevention Program
Do you have a diagnosis from your physician of prediabetes? Good news! Prediabetes can be reversed. Through this program access a personal health coach and meet with a small group to get tips and support on how to make healthier food choices, be more active, and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. This is a 1-year online workshop with 1-hour sessions (16 weekly meetings plus 2 biweekly and 8 monthly meetings). All you need is the internet, a connected device and a diagnosis of prediabetes from your physician to participate.
There is no charge for these programs. To learn more or register for one of these classes call Partners Community Wellness at: 818-403-5452, send email to: ebprograms@picf.org or visit https://www.picf.org/online-wellness-programs/
Staying Healthy While Staying Safe at Home with ILRU & Partners in Care

As in person classes and groups that many rely on remain suspended;The Independent Living Research Utilization’s IL Net and the Partners in Care Foundation have teamed up to provide access to several online wellness programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Programs offered include:
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program
Participate in low-impact exercises and gentle activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion, and to help maintain muscle strength. Sessions take place for 1 hour twice per week for 6 weeks. All you need is an internet-connected device with a camera to participate.
Bingocize
Try Bingocize at home to exercise and connect with others! It’s a 10-week online health promotion program combining Bingo with fall prevention exercises and health education. Bingo games are twice per week for 1 hour. All you need is an internet-connected device to get the fun started. (English only)
Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
If you or someone you love is dealing with ongoing pain, this workshop is for you. Workshop participants report less pain, more energy, and improved independence! This is an online workshop with 2 ½-hour sessions, once per week, for 6 weeks. All you need is an internet-connected device to participate.
Diabetes Self-Management Program
If you or someone you care for has diabetes, you know it can feel like it’s taking over your life. But there are things you can do to feel better and take control of your health! This online workshop has 2 ½-hour sessions, once per week, for 6 weeks. All you need is an internet-connected device to participate.
Healthier Living
This program teaches practical everyday skills like problem-solving, nutritious eating, and relaxation techniques that help those living with chronic conditions. This online workshop consists of 2 ½-hour sessions, once per week for 6 weeks. All you need is an internet-connected device to participate.
Healthier Living Tool Kit
Know someone without access to a computer or internet that would benefit from learning more about Healthier Living? This workshop is for them! Participants receive a mailed tool kit that walks them through information focused on better managing their health. They participate through small group phone calls for 30 minutes, once per week, for 6 weeks. All they need to participate is a phone.
Diabetes Self-Management Tool Kit
If you know someone who would like to better manage their diabetes but doesn’t have access to the internet, this workshop may be a good fit for them! Participants receive a mailed tool kit with tools to manage diabetes and participate in small group phone calls for 30 minutes, once per week, for 6 weeks. All they need to participate is a phone. Available starting in late May.
Diabetes Prevention Program
Do you have a diagnosis from your physician of prediabetes? Good news! Prediabetes can be reversed. Through this program access a personal health coach and meet with a small group to get tips and support on how to make healthier food choices, be more active, and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. This is a 1-year online workshop with 1-hour sessions (16 weekly meetings plus 2 biweekly and 8 monthly meetings). All you need is the internet, a connected device and a diagnosis of prediabetes from your physician to participate.
There is no charge for these programs. To learn more or register for one of these classes call Partners Community Wellness at: 818-403-5452, send email to: ebprograms@picf.org or visit https://www.picf.org/online-wellness-programs/
For more information about using, or obtaining our services call (406) 259-5181 or (800) 669-6319.