News Release

December 20, 2005

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

Celebrate Aging Programs: January 2006

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 January.

Reaping the Fruits of a Lifetime: Join us for a unique presentation that explores the impact of aging on class, culture and individual experiences; medical and social challenges of the aging population; and a look at aging as an asset rather than a liability. Lodovico Balducci, M.D., is a nationally known geriatric oncologist and is a professor of Oncology and Medicine at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. His talk will be held on Wednesday, January 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Keller Auditorium at the UConn Health Center. It is sponsored by the Carole & Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Celebrate Aging Program and a grant from Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Patrick Coll, M.D., director of Clinical Programs at the UConn Center on Aging and Division of Geriatric Medicine, will talk about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a slowly progressive disease of the airways that represents the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Learn about the risk factors and what you can do to avoid the disease. The lecture will be held on Thursday, January 5, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. in the Commons Building at Covenant Village of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell. The lecture is open to the public.

Spirituality and Aging: Noted geriatric oncologist, Lodovico Balducci, M.D., is a professor of Oncology and Medicine at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He will explore the topic of spirituality and aging during a talk on Thursday, January 5, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Onyuike Dining Room at the UConn Health Center. It is sponsored by the Carole & Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Celebrate Aging Program and a grant from Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals.

Diabetes, Signs, Symptoms and Management: Whether you have diabetes or are concerned about developing the disease, this program is for you. Patrick Coll, M.D., director of Clinical Programs at the UConn Center on Aging and Division of Geriatric Medicine, will discuss the signs and symptoms, explore prevention strategies, and review ways to control and manage diabetes. The talk will be held on Friday, January 6, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Seabury Retirement Community, 200 Seabury Drive, Bloomfield. To register or for further information, call the Seabury Retirement Community at 860-243-6071.

Powerful Aging Open House: If you have been thinking about improving your health in the new year, join us at the Powerful Aging open house, preview a class, meet other Powerful Aging participants, exercise instructors and UConn Health Center faculty and staff. Powerful Aging, based on ten years of training older women and men at the UConn Center on Aging, is an exercise program intended for individuals over the age of 50. Exercises are designed to be safe for those who have stable coronary artery disease and other medical problems that are under good control. Powerful Aging exercises are most effective in improving strength, endurance, and mobility. The open house will be held on Tuesday, January 24, from 10 a.m. to noon at UConn Health Partners, 65 Kane Street, West Hartford.

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.

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