Wellness Programs

older adults standing in a line while balancing

Evidence-based wellness workshops

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 programs, visit our Sanford Center for Aging Wellness Page.

For information about any Sanford Center Wellness program, call (775) 784-4774 option 2 or email your wellness team. 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.

Some of these programs are supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,247,301 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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

Diabetes Self-Management Program

This is a 6-week long program held weekly for 2.5 hours each week. It is intended for people living with diabetes and/or care partners. 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

There is a virtual option this Spring 2026!

Starting Thursday, March 26 and running until May 7, this workshop meetings 12-2:30 p.m. from the comfort of your own home. Register for the Spring Diabetes Self-Management Workshop here.

Diabetes Prevention Program

This year-long program 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.

Two available opportunities are full. Be sure to add yourself to the newsletter list to hear about future workshops!

Fit & Strong

This program 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

In Spring 2026, there are two Fit & Strong options!

In-Person: Starting March 16 from 10-11:30 a.m., this workshop meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until May 8 at Results Transformation Center (670 Greenbrae Dr in Sparks). Register for Fit & Strong starting March 16 here.
Virtual: Starting April 29 from 10-11:30 a.m., this workshop meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until June 29 from the comfort of your own home! Register for Fit & Strong starting April 29 here.

Healthy Steps for Older Adults

This free, small group program has been proven to reduce falls. Held in two 2.5 hour sessions over the course of a single day, trained 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 program.

Spring 2026 virtual and in-person options available!

Virtual: Split into two days, this workshop is on Thursday, February 12, and Friday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. both days via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent after registration. You can register for this February's Healthy Steps here.
In-Person: This workshop is on Thursday, March 26, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. with a break 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Silver Springs Senior Center. Register for this March's Healthy Steps here.
In-Person: This workshop is Saturday, May 2, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with a break 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at the South Valleys Library. Register for this May's Healthy Steps here.

Stepping On

This 7-week group program helps participants 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%.

This workshop has started and is full. Please stay tuned for the next workshop!

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

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

In Spring 2026, there is a virtual option!

Mondays, May 11 - June 29, 2 - 3:30 p.m. Register for this virtual Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshop here.

Living Well with Chronic Conditions

A 6-session evidence-based workshop designed for those dealing with a chronic or limiting health condition. Each session is 2.5 hours in length, and participants learn self-management techniques and skills needed in the day-to-day management of any type of ongoing health condition. The program has also been proven to be effective for caregivers.

Spring 2026 has two opportunities!

Starting Friday, April 3, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Sierra View Library: 4001 S Virginia Street. Register for this Library workshop here.

The second option starts Tuesday, May 12, 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Silver Springs Senior Center: 2495 Ft. Churchill Road, Silver Springs. Register for this Senior Center workshop here.