Interfaith Council offers senior program

The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council (VIC) has launched a new program to address the healthcare issues of seniors living in or near the San Fernando Valley and has invited 900 local congregations to participate.

The program, conducted in partnership with Secure Horizons from PacifiCare, includes healthcare educational workshops and seminars at local churches, as well as a quarterly newsletter.

Participating congregations will be offered a series of presentations, workshops and health screenings for their senior members. Topics include reducing prescription drug costs, meeting caregiver challenges, taking charge of diabetes, heart health and more.

The quarterly newsletter, "Hallelujah HealthBeat," is designed to keep seniors up to date about the services and programs available to them in their community. The premiere issue, distributed mid-September, will be available in English and Spanish, and can be inserted into each congregation’s weekly bulletin.

"The Valley Interfaith Council is committed to helping those elderly members of our congregations access the services and programs that can help meet their healthcare needs and improve the quality of their golden years," said Barry Smedberg, VIC president. "Because it is often difficult for these seniors to get out and about, we are bringing these services to their local houses of worship, places that are comfortable and convenient for them."

"We are committed to offering programs that meet the needs of seniors in the communities we serve," said Kathy Feeny, executive vice president of Secure Horizons Senior Solutions, a division of Cypress-based PacifiCare Health Systems. "Secure Horizons is sponsoring numerous community-based activities to educate seniors in an effort to enhance their health and help lower the cost of their healthcare."

About one in every eight persons (12.3 percent of the population) is an older American. Typically, half of those seniors have at least one chronic health condition, and many suffer from multiple chronic illnesses.

Congregations may enroll to receive free healthcare seminars and free issues of Hallelujah HealthBeat by calling Eileen Killoren at (818) 718-6460, ext. 3002, or by visiting VIC website www.sfvic.org.