Wellness Programs

Our wellness team aims to enhance the quality of life and well-being among elders in Nevada by providing evidence-based workshops to promote health and wellness and prevent disease. We also offer workshops and resources for family caregivers. All workshops are free. Some workshops are restricted to older adults or people with disabilities. 

For a full list of upcoming workshops, visit our Workshop Page. 

For information about any Sanford Center Wellness program, call (775) 784-4774 option 2 or email wellness.sca@unr.edu. For information on caregiver resources, select option 3. You can also click here to join our newsletter list to be the first to hear about upcoming workshops.

Here is the full list of programs we offer with detailed descriptions:

Diabetes Self-Management Program

This is a 6-week long workshop held weekly for 2.5 hours each week. It is intended for people living with diabetes and/or care partners. During this weekly workshop you will learn:

• Skills to help you balance your blood sugar
• Techniques to better communicate with family, friends and healthcare providers
• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance
• Appropriate use of medications
• Healthy eating
• Decision-making and problem-solving

Diabetes Prevention Program

This year-long workshop is designed for people with prediabetes or who are at risk for developing diabetes. Take a short online test to find out if you're at risk for prediabetes.

This program will help you to:

• Learn the skills you need to lose weight
• Be more physically active
• Manage stress
• Connect with a lifestyle coach to guide and encourage you
• Gain support from other members who have similar goals

This CDC-designed 12-month program is given in weekly sessions for 5 months, followed by bi-monthly maintenance sessions. Sessions are also available in Spanish.

Fit & Strong

This workshop blends an exercise program with group problem-solving and education. This program meets three times a week for 90 minutes for 8-weeks.

After taking this class, participants have reported:

• Increased engagement in physical activity (which has been sustained over 18 months)
• Improvements in lower extremity joint stiffness
• Decreased pain
• Increased lower extremity strength
• Increased mobility
• Decreased anxiety and depression

Healthy Steps for Older Adults

This free, small group workshop has been proven to reduce falls. The workshop is held in two 2.5 hour session over the course of a single day. Trained workshop leaders review steps to make homes safer, manage medicines and learn how to improve strength, balance and overall fitness, along with providing other resources to help prevent falls. Participants can complete a fall risk balance screening assessment during the workshop.

Stepping On

This 7-week long group workshop helps participants to reduce their risk of falling by incorporating strength and balance exercises along with education around home safety, navigating inclement weather, medications, calcium and vitamin D, and vision, among other topics. Along with trained leaders, guest experts join each session to share information on how to reduce fall risk. Stepping On has been researched and proven to decrease falls by 31%.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

This is a 6-week long workshop is for family caregivers of adults with chronic conditions. Throughout the workshop, participants will learn skills needed to take care of themselves while caring for someone else. By taking care of your own health and wellbeing, you become a better caregiver.

Walk with Ease

Walk with Ease is a self-directed exercise program that can reduce pain and improve overall health, all at your own pace! Learn about to walk safely and comfortable, improve flexibility, strength and stamina, be more physically active, and set and work towards goals. You will also receive a guidebook and weekly support emails.