News Release

August 18, 2005

Contact: Carolyn Pennington, 860-679-4864
e-mail: cpennington@uchc.edu

Celebrate Aging Programs, September 2005

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Celebrate Aging, a free membership program for men and women, age 40 and older, is designed to address the many issues of aging in a positive way and is offering these educational programs in September.

Take a Bite out of the Bug: The influenza vaccine protects individuals from many illnesses during flu season including pneumonia, worsening of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Current studies at the UConn Health Center are examining how the immune system is boosted by the influenza vaccination and how it might be designed to make it even more effective in individuals 60 years and older. Join us for a review of preliminary findings from the latest research studies and learn more about how you can participate in an upcoming study this fall and receive your influenza vaccination. Janet McElhaney, M.D., associate professor of medicine, Center on Aging and Center for Immunotherapy, will lead the discussion to be held on Wednesday, September 7, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Keller Auditorium at the UConn Health Center.

Introductory Yoga Class: Certified yoga instructor Bette Yanke will help you increase your strength, flexibility and balance, while practicing a mix of yoga postures from the Iyengar, Ashtanga and Embodyoga traditions. Sessions include asanas (postures), meditation and pranyama (breathing techniques). Modifications are offered for beginning to experienced students of any age to create a challenging class for all levels. Bring a mat and a towel. The free class will be held on Monday, September 19, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Academic Research Building’s large conference room at the UConn Health Center.

Yoga Classes continue on Mondays, September 26-October 31 from 6 to 7 pm. The $60 fee for the entire six classes is payable to the instructor at the beginning of the session. (Refer to the description above).

Keeping a Healthy Heart: Given the prevalence of heart disease, there are many good reasons to take prevention to heart. David I. Silverman, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center, will discuss risk factors that are likely to increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease and also ways to prevent these risks and keep a healthy heart. The free seminar is open to the public and will take place on Monday, September 26, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Farmington Senior Center, 321 New Britain Avenue, Unionville.

Interactions Between Food and Medications: Foods can affect the way our bodies process the medications we take on a daily basis. Very often, herbs, foods and beverages may interact with medications you normally take that can result in serious side reactions. Registered Dietitian Heather Gifford will lead the lecture which will focus on foods that can lessen or increase the impact of a drug and offer examples of known interactions between popular herbs, foods, and prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The free seminar is open to the public and will be held on Friday, September 30, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Seabury Retirement Community, 200 Seabury Drive, Bloomfield.

Registration for these programs is required as seating is limited. For more information or to register, call Celebrate Aging at 860-679-4900, toll free at 1-866-837-7737 or register by email at celebrateaging@uchc.edu.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

Note: News professionals are invited to visit the Office of Communications homepage at www.uchc.edu/ocomm/ for archived news releases and other information.