kh #266 10/08/08

HEALTHY AGING PROGRAM CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Office of Senior Services celebrated the fourth anniversary of its HealthEASE Wellness Coalition Program on October 8.

The Health EASE program was established in January 2004 as a pilot from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. It was originally funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and since 2006 has continued through the support of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“We wish to congratulate all of the staff members and volunteers of the Health EASE program here in Ocean County,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as chairman of Senior Services. “For the past four years, Health EASE has been a tremendous success in helping seniors live healthy lives in Ocean County.”

The county’s Office of Senior Services held a ceremony today to honor some of the community’s exemplary older adults for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle and demonstrating role model behavior.

Awards were presented to: Anabelle Antonetti-DeSantis, 61, for running the 13-mile New York Half-Marathon Grand Prix and finishing in two hours and 37 minutes; Gladys Ribinsky, 86, for finishing in first place in the 200 meter swim at the New Jersey Senior Games; and Grace Schumann, 82, for being an active community volunteer and facilitator for Chronic Disease Self-Management in various organizations and groups throughout Ocean County.

Also, Louanne Kane, 68, for creating and instructing the Mind-Body Connection program which is a key component of Health EASE; Marvin Pakula, 84, as Ocean County’s Oldest Entrant in the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Exhibit; and Lucy Tortorello as she turns 105 years old on Nov. 23.

“HealthEASE recognizes there are older adults in the community that are concerned about their health, safety and future independence and gives them a chance to make changes that will create a healthier lifestyle,” Vicari said.

Among the program components are: quarterly comprehensive screenings; non-aerobic exercise classes designed to improve flexibility, balance and stamina which are led by peers; the HealthEASE Mind-Body Connection which focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of the relationship between mind and body activities in healthy aging.

Classes are also offered in the following areas: health promotion, disease prevention, physical activity, nutrition, falls prevention, medication management, heart health and memory improvement. All classes are designed specifically for adults 60 years or older.

For more information on HealthEASE or the other programs offered by the Office of Senior Services contact 732-929-2091 or 1-800-668-4899 or visit the county website at co.ocean.n.j.us

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