Welcome to Medicare Classes

Council on Aging in Union County and SHIIP are working together to provide a Medicare class at least once per month to help you, family members, or a caregiver better understand your Medicare benefits. This class will cover all parts of Medicare including: Part A (Hospital), Part B (Medical), Part C (Medicare Advantage), Part D (Prescription Drug), and Medigap Supplemental. If you are interested in more information or to sign-up for the class please call Council on Aging.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

We don't expect to be raising our grandchildren, changing diapers, helping with homework, or handling discipline. However, many aged 55 and older are full-time caregivers for their young grandchildren. Our Family Caregiver Support Program offers a series to help grandparents.

Matter of Balance

Do you have concerns about falling? This award winning program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have concerns about falls. This program utilizes volunteer and professional coaches to teach the eight two-hour sessions.

Classes help participants learn to:

  • View falls and fear of falling as controllable.
  • Set realistic goals for increasing activity.
  • Change their environment to reduce fall risk factors.
  • Promote exercise to increase strength and balance.
Designed to Benefit Community-Dwelling Older Adults who:
  • Are concerned about falls.
  • Have sustained a fall in the past.
  • Restrict activities because of concerns about falling.
  • Are interested in improving flexibility, balance and strength.
  • Are age 60 or older, ambulatory and able to problem-solve.

Participant Satisfaction:

97% Are more comfortable talking about fear of falling.
97% Feel comfortable increasing their activity levels.
99% Plan to continue exercising.
98% Would recommend Matter of Balance.

Healthy Living with Diabetes

The healthy living with diabetes workshop is held once per week for six weeks. In this evidence-based class, you'll get the support you need, find practical ways to monitor your glucose, create an action plan, discover better nutrition and exercise choices, learn about diabetes medication usage, and learn better ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health.

Call to sign up for the next available class

Chronic Disease Management

Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Disease Self-Management a six week program to help you improve your health- One step at a time. 

Put life back into your life!

Take CONTROL of your Health!

The Living Well workshop is held two and half hours per session, once a week for six weeks. People with different ongoing health problems attend together. Workshops are facilitated by two leaders, one or both of whom live with an ongoing health problem.

Are you an adult age 55 or older with an ongoing health condition?

You'll get the support you need, find practical ways to deal with pain and fatigue, discover better nutrition and exercise choices, understand new treatment choices, and learn better ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health.

By taking part in a Living Well Workshop you will learn better ways of coping and managing your health by:

  • Setting goals that are do-able
  • Working with others
  • Finding support and solutions to problems
  • Making daily tasks easier
  • Relaxing and managing stress
  • Working in partnership with your care team.

What do the sessions cover?

  • How to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation.
  • Exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance.
  • Use of medications.
  • Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals.
  • Healthy nutrition.
  • How to evaluating new treatments.
Are CDSMP workshops successful?

Yes. The way the program is taught makes it effective. Classes are highly participative, where mutual support and success build participants' confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.

What Materials are provided?
  • Healthy Living Resource Guide, "Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions."
  • Audio relaxation tape or CD, "Time for Healing."
** Spouses or Support people should also register.


For more information or to find out when the next class starts, please call 704-292-1797