Evidence-based Health & Wellness Programs
Diabetes Programming
Affecting more than 30 million Americans, diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. CPHA’s focus on diabetes education began several years ago and includes diabetes kiosks and evidence-based programs delivered locally. CPHA has enhanced its diabetes programming by creating Making Moves with Diabetes, an American Diabetes Association recognized program. Through this program, a diabetes team, including a Registered Nurse, Registered Dietitian, and Certified Community Health Worker, give education and support, so that individuals can gain knowledge and skills to better manage their diabetes over a lifetime. In the current COVID-19 era, the program is being delivered virtually.
Dementia Programming
With the population aging, the number of persons with dementia is expected to increase dramatically over the coming decades. Higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns are common among family members caring for an older adult and are consistently higher among caregivers for persons living with dementia. The Center’s dementia programming is primarily focused on strategies to reduce caregiving burden. The Center is currently examining the effectiveness of educational programming to build caregivers’ skills; case-management strategies to assist persons living with dementia navigate community resources; environments that help persons living with dementia get around better, and technology solutions to assess real-time changes in everyday activities of daily living and help increase safety.
Opioid Taskforce
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency and is only escalating during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the use of prescription opioids is more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults than that of younger adults and can directly or indirectly lead to opioid use disorders. Thus, the Texas A&M Health Opioid Taskforce, an interprofessional group of scholars and practitioners co-located at the Center is dedicated to understanding the appropriate use of opioids and ways to recognize and avoid opioid use disorders among older adults and their families. Through its community outreach and education programs, particularly through the Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Administration Trainings, the task force has educated over 500 participants since October 2019. Community groups have included local law enforcement, first responders, public health districts, as well as county officials.
Chronic Disease & Self-Management Programs
For five years the center has offered chronic disease and self-management education through in-person classes throughout the Bryan-College Station community and state partnering with local senior organizations, hospitals, wellness organizations and Area Agencies on Aging. Currently the Center is focusing on falls prevention education, the Workplace Chronic Disease Self-Management program, and A Matter of Balance.