September is Healthy Aging Month
Healthy Aging Month is an annual health observance month designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older and to provide inspiration for adults, ages 50+, to improve their physical, mental, social and financial health.

At Schoolcraft College, we recognize the important role that training and education plays in the support and preparation to care for elder family members. Caring for seniors is a labor of love and we can help enhance those care giving skills by restoring balance, order and peace to the caregiver’s lives and help their loved ones remain at home.

This fall, Schoolcraft College's Continuing Education and Professional Development will be offering the following grant-funded Caregiver Skills classes to help address these issues:
• Caregiver Skills: Creating a Safe Environment/CPR AED Training
• Caregiver Skills: Basic Care & Personal Care Skills
• Caregiver Skills: Nutrition Knowledge
• Caregiver Skills: Legal & Financial Issues
Normally these courses can each cost $100 or more to attend, however as a result of a grant from the MetLIfe Foundation as a part of the 2010 Community College Caregiver Trianing Initiative, we are able to offer them for only $10 each session.

In addition to the above, Schoolcraft College offers a wide-range of leisure and instructional fitness classes for those 50+ lifestyles to help people stay mentally sharp and physically fit.  A sample of programs applicable to the 50+ population includes:
• Conversation and Coffee lecture series.  This semester’s topics include: Exploring the World Wide Web, Michigan Lighthouses, Heros & Scoundrels in DIA Art and Volunteering During Retirement.
• Computer classes that will increase computer knowledge and provide skills to work confidently with technology, software and the new social mediums so students can better communicate with kids and grandchildren.
• A variety of culinary seminars that teach individuals how to manage diabetes with healthy food choices, cooking light and starting food traditions.
• Physical Fitness classes that focus on specific exercises for arthritis, range of motion, flexibility, endurance, strength, balance and relaxation.
• Dance including Ballroom, Line Dancing, Swing, Latin, Disco and many others.
• Adult aquatics that are low impact, yet gets the blood flowing.
• Art classes for ceramics, drawing, painting and photography.

Registration is currently underway and new classes are always being added.  All classes are open to the public with nominal fees and offer a senior discount to those who are over age 60.  For more information call 734-462-4448 or go to www.schoolcraft.edu/cepd.

Schoolcraft College is a public two-year college, offering classes at the Livonia campus, at the Radcliff Center in Garden City and online at www.schoolcraft.edu