Purdue Health and Human Science Leader Conference set

Are you interested in learning about current trends and health information? Would you like to meet new people and participate in a fun afternoon of learning?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, I invite you to attend the Purdue Extension Area 5 Health and Human Science Leader Lesson conference. This conference features Purdue Extension Health and Human Science educators teaching on various topics, including diets, prescription medicine, social media and much more.

The conference will take place on Friday, May 12 Harrison College, 1378 State Road 46, Terre Haute. Conference begins at 1 p.m. concluding at 3 p.m. Workshop sessions last between the hours of 1-2 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Each session will be presented during one of the session times listed.

Sessions available for 1-2 p.m. period include:

-- “What Is The Best Diet,” presented by Tonya Short, Vermillion County.

Diet fads are around but which one is really the best? In this session we will compare and contrast current diet fads to figure out which one is best and will produce the best results

-- “Prescription for medication management” presented by Courtney Stewart, Monroe County.

Older adults often have several different prescription medications for various health needs. Most of us have unused or expired medications in our homes. This presentation will help you know how to dispose of expired or unused medications and focus on safety issues in addition to prescription medication and possible interactions with other over the counter medications. Understanding the dangers of keeping unused or expired prescription medications can prevent unwanted use and keep you and your family safer and healthier.

-- “Health Insurance is Puzzling?” presented by Polly Gettinger, Greene County.

Does all the talk regarding health insurance make your head spin? Become more confident by solving the insurance puzzles that come with this lesson

-- Beating “Gym-timidation” presented by Jennifer Cannon, Putnam County.

Gym-timidation is a word I coined to describe intimidation an individual feels when entering the gym/workout facility. For many reasons, individuals avoid gym members due to “gym-timidation”, so this lesson will inform participants of the importance of exercise, ways to address gym-timidation, and exercises one can complete at home.

Sessions available for the 2-3 p.m. period include:

-- “Do you want to have say? presented by Lori Bouslog, Sullivan County.

Estate planning is more than the process of determining the distribution of your assets upon your death. It also includes making decisions about who is going to manage your personal affairs when you are no longer able. Would you rather the courts make those decisions, or “Do You Want to Have a Say?”

-- “What’s App’ning” presented by Jay Christiansen, Vigo County.

Social media usage among adults aged 65 and older has more than tripled since 2005. This rise in social media usage is mainly attributed to a desire to stay connected to loved ones. This presentation will help you know how to download and use the most popular social media apps (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).

-- “ De-Stress with Mindfulness and Humor,” presented by Karenlee Spencer, Parke County.

This lesson will teach you how stress affects your health and your relationships. You will learn how to minimize the impact of stress through simple changes –including simple exercises, decluttering your home and being intentional about taking care of yourself first so that you can take care of others. We will discuss the value of humor and how we can use it to lower stress. We will send you off with some tools to help you find balance in your daily life.

The conference is free of charge, however registration required. Should you have any questions, contact Health and Human Science Educator Jennifer Cannon at 653-8411. Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming Events

March 21 -- Women to Women: Educating Women about Farm Marketing, Fairgrounds, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost $30. Register at 574-372-2340.

March 31 -- Past Presidents Garage Sale, Community Building, Fairgrounds.

April 1 -- Past President Garage Sale, Community Building, Fairgrounds.

April 1 – Beef and dairy steer 4-H online enrollment due.

April 12 -- Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing, Day 2, Community Building.