SWANQUARTER — COPD, arthritis, heart disease, asthma and fibromyalgia — these are just some of the chronic diseases that seniors may experience. Starting April 22 at Greater Piney Grove Christian Church, Hyde County Health Department’s “Living Healthy” workshops will tackle these issues with participating seniors.

According to Liz Mumm, public health educator II, of the Hyde County Health Department, the program is aimed at helping people 60 years and older who live with a chronic disease. The six-week program will consist of free weekly meetings. At these meetings, people specially trained in caring for different diseases and conditions will give presentations and hold question and answer sessions for those in attendance. This is meant to assist people with understanding how to live with these diseases.

“The idea is to help people change their lifestyles so they will not have as many problems with the diseases they have and to prevent disease from developing down the road,” Mumm said. “This will be educational and very interactive; it will teach people how to change their behaviors in order to live healthy lives. It will also teach them how to set goals, how to talk to their doctors, how to better manage their medication, and how to deal with some of the chronic disease side effects they have to deal with every day.”

Mumm gave an example of what might be explored for someone who had just been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

“They may have been told they need to alter their weight,” Mumm said. “One way to do that is to begin an exercise program. We could help them learn how to incorporate exercise into their daily routine.”

According to Mumm, while the classes are free, advance registration is required. Everyone wishing to participate should contact the Hyde County Health Department by April 21. Beginning April 22, meeting times will be from 10 a.m. to 12 or 12:30 p.m. each Tuesday for six weeks. Each participant will receive a free book and CD.

For more information about this free program, contact Liz Mumm at 252-926-5289 or email her at emumm@hydehealth.com.