MVES Offers Free Training for New Wellness Leaders

Are you a wellness instructor, or have you ever been interested in leading a wellness class? Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) is holding signups for leaders in its Healthy Aging Program. Class leaders will receive a stipend, training and mentoring.

MVES is a registered nonprofit that supports older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers. The agency offers a variety of services in 11 towns and cities in the Greater Boston area, and has served the community for more than 45 years.

MVES’ Healthy Aging Program consists of six free, evidence-based classes that promote health and wellbeing. MVES is currently enrolling future coaches for the “A Matter of Balance” class. Training will be held on Tuesday, June 6 and Thursday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Mystic Valley Elder Services, 300 Commercial St. #19, in Malden. To enroll in the training, or learn more, please contact Donna Covelle at 781-388-4867 or dcovelle@mves.org.

Coaches receive a certificate in the award-winning A Matter of Balance program. They are asked to lead two Healthy Aging classes within a year of certification. A Master Trainer provides support and mentoring to each coach.

A Matter of Balance helps manage falls and increase activity levels by improving balance, flexibility and strength. Coaches help participants gain confidence as they learn to see falls as something they can control, set goals for increasing physical activities, practice exercises that increase strength and balance, and more.

Attendees will be joined in class by some members of the MVES team who are embedded at Supportive Housing sites around Greater Boston, either as Resident Service Coordinators or through the Wellness Nurse Program.

MVES’ grant-funded pilot Wellness Nurse Program launched this spring at two sites and will soon be expanding. The program establishes an on-site public health nurse who conducts weekly office hours with an open-door policy, enabling residents to check in for guidance and care. The nurse assists with a wide variety of medication and health questions, as well as coordinating special health events.

While MVES is excited to have coaches from its Resident Service Coordinator and Wellness Nurse teams, the Healthy Aging classes are extremely popular! More instructors are needed. The other Healthy Aging classes are:

• My Life, My Health-Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
• My Life My Health Chronic Pain Self-Management
• My Life, My Health Diabetes Self-Management
• Tai Chi for Arthritis Self-Management
• Healthy Eating

To learn more about the Healthy Aging Program, please contact 781-388-4867 or dcovelle@mves.org.