Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marquette County highlights fall-prevention and chronic-disease workshops as demand grows
Summary
Health staff reported increased foot-clinic visits and described Stepping On and Living Well programs that focus on fall prevention and chronic disease self-management; staff cited participant stories showing lasting benefits and noted most participants are older adults.
County health staff told the board that demand for two long-running programs — Stepping On (a seven-week fall-prevention program) and Living Well (a chronic-conditions self-management workshop) — has increased in recent years.
"We are now doing mostly 2 foot clinics a week," Jenny said, describing expanded clinic frequency and attendance. She summarized Stepping On and Living Well programming — which include guest experts such as pharmacists and physical therapists — and cited participant outcomes, including reduced emergency visits reported in program literature.
Jenny shared concrete examples of long-term behavioral change: two participants who began walking together after the workshop continue to do so years later, and a participant who used Stepping On techniques helped another person get up after a fall. Board members noted these programs align with the county's community health improvement plan to reduce avoidable care and lift-assist calls.
Staff said they will compile annual program statistics for the board and continue community outreach to sustain participation.
Next steps: staff will provide end-of-year statistics on foot clinics and continue to coordinate with partners such as ADRC and Amelia in nutrition services to offer workshops and increase outreach.
