Approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease – and 77% have at least two – which require ongoing medical attention and may limit everyday activities (National Council on Aging). Living with a chronic health condition is not a normal part of aging, nor does it need to be debilitating. Council on Aging offers FREE workshops to help you live life to its fullest.
Click here for a current schedule of health and wellness workshops.
Don’t see an in-person workshop scheduled near you, check out our virtual workshops!
If you have a smart device with a camera and microphone, you can participate in a fun and enjoyable virtual workshop through Zoom. It’s a great way to make friends, learn how to manage your chronic health conditions, prevent falls and improve your health. Please review the workshops we are offering this quarter and register. Prior to the workshop, we will call to make sure you are ready to participate. We hope to see you online!
Why should I participate in a health and wellness workshop?
If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease or arthritis, you’re not alone.
Fortunately, there are useful, everyday ways to manage your health to help you live life to its fullest. Council on Aging (COA) partners with the Ohio Department of Aging, Maine Health and the Self-Management Resource Center (SMRC) to offer proven workshops that present practical ways to help you take control of your health.
And, there are benefits beyond improved health. Our workshops offer an opportunity to meet and learn from people facing common obstacles. Whether you participate in a virtual or in-person workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to socialize, feel connected with people who understand your needs and make friends!
Workshops are available to older adults age 60+ and their caregivers of any age.
Is there a fee to participate?
All workshops are free for adults age 60+ and their caregivers.
Available Workshops
Learn to Better Manage your Health
COA offers Self-Management Resource Center (SMRC) workshops which offer a safe environment for people with a variety of chronic health conditions (diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, etc.) to learn to better manage their disease and the challenges that come with it. COA offers the following SMRC workshops:
- Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) (online and in-person)
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) (online and in-person)
- Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP) (online and in-person)
In these workshops, you will learn tips for:
- healthy eating
- how to manage frustration, fatigue and isolation
- light exercise to maintain and improve strength and flexibility
- improving communication with family, friends and doctors
- making informed treatment decisions
- appropriate use of medications
Prevent Falls
Falling is not a normal part of aging. Many things can be done to prevent falls. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program emphasizing practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling while gently increasing activity levels. Participants meet in small groups once per week for eight weeks, and learn to view falls as controllable, set realistic goals, change their environment to reduce risk factors, and master exercises to increase strength and balance.
BingocizeR
Bingocize combines the fun of Bingo with the benefits of health education. While enjoying a game of Bingo, participants are presented with questions and exercises focused on health. This program:
- improves body strength, gait, balance and range of motion
- improves aspects of cognition
- increases social engagement
- reduces falls by increasing knowledge of fall risks
Three Bingocize programs are available:
- Bingocize and Exercise
- Bingocize and Fall Prevention
- Bingocize and Nutrition
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Tai Chi is easy to learn, effective and safe. It improves flexibility, muscle strength, posture and balance. Some of its many benefits include:
- increased heart and lung activity
- better sleep
- weight loss
- improved mood
- management of chronic conditions
Tai Chi can accommodate a wide range of ability levels, including a “Chair Chi” option for participants who cannot stand for any length of time.
Where are workshops held?
Workshops are offered throughout the year and take place at various host sites throughout our five-county service area (Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties.) Workshops are held either virtually or in-person. The format of the workshop is determined by the host site.
The choice of workshop format depends on your comfort level. It is important to know that COA staff will be available to assist you with any technology questions you may have and your needs will be fully supported in any workshop.
How do I register?
You are welcome to register for any workshop listed below. Space is limited for each workshop, so don’t delay! Registering is as simple as clicking the registration link next to the desired workshop in the table below.
Note: To minimize the opportunity for missed sessions, please select a workshop that best fits your schedule.
You must have an email address to register online. If you don’t have an email address, please call Brittaney Burton at 513-345-8637 for assistance with registration.
Upcoming Workshops
| Host Site | Workshop | Format | Date | Last day to register | Registration link |
| Countryside YMCA – Landen 2894 W US Highway 22 and 3, 45039 | Tai Chi | In-person | Mon. and Wed. Mar. 24 – May 14 10 – 11 a.m. | March 17, 2025 | Class is full |
| Countryside YMCA 1699 Deerfield Rd. Lebanon, 45036 | Tai Chi | In-person | Mon. and Wed. Mar. 24 – May 14 12 – 1 p.m. | March 17, 2025 | Class is full |
| Kingswood Park Activity Center 4188 Irwin-Simpson Rd., Mason 45040 Workshop host: Deerfield Township | Tai Chi | In-person | Tues. and Thurs. Apr. 1 – May 22 10 – 11 a.m. | March 25, 2025 | Class is full |
| Countryside YMCA Otterbein 585 OH-741, Lebanon 45036 | Tai Chi | In-person | Tues. and Thurs. Apr. 1 – May 22 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | March 25, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Kingswood Park Activity Center 4188 Irwin-Simpson Rd., Mason 45040 Workshop host: Deerfield Township | Tai Chi | In-person | Tues. and Thurs. Apr. 1 – May 22 11:15 – 12:15 p.m. | March 25, 2025 | Class is full |
| Aging Up Community Center 717 N. Nelson Ave., Wilmington, 45177 | Matter of Balance | In-person | Wednesdays Apr. 2 – May 28 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. NO CLASS MAY 7 | March 26, 2025 | Class is full |
| Norwood Senior Center 1810 Courtland Ave #1, 45212 | Tai Chi members only | In-person | Mon. and Fri. April 7 – June 6 1 – 2 p.m. NO CLASS April 18 or May 26 | March 31, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Norwood Recreation Center 2039 Sherman Ave., Norwood, OH 45212 | Tai-Chi | In-person | Mon. and Wed. 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. April 7- June 2 NO CLASS May 26 | March 31, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Paige Towers 619 Central Ave, 45202 | Bingocize For residents, friends and family only | In-person | Tues. and Fri. April 15 – June 20 3:30 – 4;30 p,m, | April 8, 2025 | Click to Register |
| North College Hill Senior Center 1586 Goodman Ave., 45224 | Bingocize Transportation is available. Call 513-345-8637. | In-person | Mon. and Wed. April 21 – June 30 11 a.m. – 12 NOON NO CLASS May 26 | April 14, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Hosted by: Meals on Wheels | Bingocize | Virtual | Mon. and Wed. April 21 – July 2 10 – 11 a.m. NO CLASS May 26 | April 14, 2025 | Click to Register |
| SEM Manor 1348 Pebble Ct, 45255 | Bingocize – Nutrition Transportation is available. Call 513-345-8637. | In-person | Tues. and Th. April 29 – July 3 11 a.m. – 12 NOON | April 22, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Harrison Senior Center 300 George St, 45030 | Bingocize Transportation is available. Call 513-345-8637. | In-person | Tues. and Fri. May 13 – July 27 10 – 11 a.m. NO CLASS JULY 4 | May 6, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Evanston Employment Resource Center 3301 Montgomery Rd., 45207 | Chronic Pain Self-Management | In-person | Tuesdays May 13 – June 17 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | May 6, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Countryside YMCA – Landen 2894 W US Highway 22 and 3, 45039 | Tai Chi | In-person | Mon. and Wed. June 2 – July 23 12 – 1 p.m. | May 26, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Countryside YMCA 1699 Deerfield Rd. Lebanon, 45036 | Tai Chi | In-person | Mon. and Wed. June 2 – July 23 12 – 1 p.m. | May 26, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Countryside YMCA 1699 Deerfield Rd., Lebanon, OH 45036 | Diabetes Self-Management | In-person | Tuesdays Jul. 8 – Aug. 12 9:30 a.m. – Noon | July 1, 2025 | Click to Register |
| Countryside YMCA 1699 Deerfield Rd., Lebanon, OH 45036 | Diabetes Self-Management | In-person | Tuesdays Sept. 9 – Oct. 14 9:30 a.m. – Noon | September 2, 2025 | Click to Register |
Host Site Sponsors
Every workshop we offer has a Host Site Sponsor (also known as a Community Partner). Our host sites currently include health care organizations, YMCAs, faith-based organizations, senior centers and senior housing buildings throughout our five-county region: Butler, Clinton, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties.
Host sites sponsor workshops available to anyone living in our five-county region. These host sites play an important role by marketing our programs to members and we compensate them based on the number of people who complete the workshop.
If you select a workshop sponsored by a familiar host site, perhaps one close to your home, there is a chance you may know other participants in the workshop – or you might meet a new friend.
Any community site interested in partnering with COA to sponsor a workshop can email Judy Eschmann or call Judy at (513) 519-8890.
Special note for Veterans
Veterans are welcome and encouraged to register for any workshop offered by COA. The VA Medical Center also offers these programs. If you are a veteran interested in participating in a workshop offered by the VA Medical Center, please call (513) 475-6381.