The Provena Covenant Center for Healthy Aging Staff
Seated L to R: Tom Cottrell, Martha Paap Back Row: Candy Gilbert, Jennifer Brackenhoff, Lana Sample
The Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) is a new initiative of the Provena Covenant Foundation with oversight by the Community Outreach Department. CHA offers a variety of educational programs, screenings, special events, and other services for adults that address the physical, social, mental, and spiritual dimensions of health. The programs are designed to promote healthy living, reduce the risk of disease and preserve independence. Most programs offered by CHA are free of charge or have a nominal fee.
CENTER FOR HEALTHY AGING PROGRAMS 
V.I.P. ADVANTAGE PROGRAM
A membership program specifically designed for adults 55 and over. Members enjoy a variety of social and wellness programs including one-day bus trips to regional destinations such as Indianapolis, Chicago and St. Louis, bingo, special luncheons, lectures, community discounts and much more. More information is located on the next page.
FAITH IN ACTION
Faith in Action is an interfaith volunteer caregiver program for older adults with long-term health needs. Volunteers provide practical assistance such as transportation to medical appointments and shopping, friendly visiting, and chores around the home. The program is looking for more volunteers to assist. The next volunteer orientations are scheduled on Sept. 20, 9:30-11:00 a.m. and Sept. 23 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. and 6:00-7:30 p.m. All sessions are located at Provena Covenant, Auditorium A. Call 337-4700 to register or e-mail at fia@provena.org.
SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
Staff and volunteers provide one-on-one health counseling assistance for Medicare recipients and their families. Counselors can assist with sorting out medical statements, assist with enrollment in prescription drug assistance programs and answer a wide variety of questions regarding health insurance.
LIFELINE
Lifeline is a 24-hour emergency response system that gives clients and their families a peace of mind and further allows them to remain living independently in their own homes. Financial assistance is available for low-income older adults living in Champaign County.
HEALTH MINISTRIES
Provena Covenant Medical Center partners with the faith community by working with Parish Nurses, Pastors and other congregational leaders. These partnerships enhance community outreach efforts by providing congregations the opportunity to benefit from wellness programs that address living a healthy spiritual, physical and psychological lifestyle. Some of the programs already underway include Strong for Life, an exercise program geared toward older adults; Chronic Disease Self Management Program, a 6-week course teaching individuals with chronic conditions on how to cope with day-to-day issues; and Vial of Life, a system of alerting medical personnel whereby a resident places a medicine vial in their refrigerator containing important medical information. A sticker on the outside door notifies emergency services where to locate the information in case of an emergency.
HALO (HELPING ACHIEVE LIFE’S OBJECTIVES)
The focus of HALO is to develop programs that target unmet needs and underserved populations including the poor, minorities, and the disabled of all age groups. Ultimately, the goal is to implement programs that impact the quality of health in our community. This past summer, HALO coordinated the Catholic Heart Workcamp where over 200 teenagers from across the U.S. completed indoor and outdoor tasks in the C-U area for a period of a week. In addition, HALO joined forces with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District to provide more than 500 ears of sweet corn to 100 needy families. The sweet corn was donated by the Provena Covenant Foundation who owns donated farmland near Savoy. Other priorities of HALO are to organize partnerships and programs to address access to care, adult dental care, and obesity.
Center for Healthy Aging Contact Information:
Candy Gilbert, Administrative Assistant- 337-2022
Lana Sample, Senior Programs Coordinator- 337-2960
Jennifer Brackenhoff, R.N.- Faith Community Nurse Coordinator- 337-2364
Tom Cottrell, HALO Coordinator- 337-2289
Martha Paap, Director, Community Outreach- 337-2896
For general questions and for more information, please call 337-2022 or e-mail at CHA@provena.org or visit us at www.provena.org.