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Improve well-being, health with 5 life lessons

bowl of healthy fruit

URBANA, Ill. – Continued learning through all stages of life helps us to thrive physically, mentally, and financially. No matter your age, learn valuable life lessons in five monthly workshops which continue a tradition of supporting Illinois residents and communities with relevant and easy-to-understand tips for living inspiring, healthful, and rich lives in our ever-changing world.

The free, online Lessons for Living webinars, taught by University of Illinois Extension educators, are extended at no cost to the public in collaboration with Illinois Association for Home and Community Education units throughout the state.

"Lessons for Living sessions provide trusted community education on topics that most of us navigate in our everyday lives,” says Cheri Burcham, Extension family life educator and series coordinator. “Sometimes we just need fresh perspectives to encourage us to implement healthy living strategies at all stages of life.”

Register online for any or all sessions at go.illinois.edu/2023HCElessons. For questions, contact Burcham at cburcham@illinois.edu.

Each 2023 webinar is offered twice throughout the year:

Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. | July 11 at 10 a.m. - Financial Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults
Financial emergency preparedness helps us plan, recover, and rebuild after disasters and emergencies. Learn ways to organize and manage finances, develop valuable resource lists, watch for financial fraud after disasters, and reduce anxiety and stress around money.

March 21 at 2 p.m. | Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. - The Fuel to Fight Cancer
Food is one tool to support cancer prevention, treatment, and care. Learn how foods may reduce your risk of cancer and how to incorporate nutrition to help manage side effects of treatment.

April 20 at 2 p.m. | Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. - Addressing Ageism and Promoting Inclusivity
Ageist attitudes influence how we think of others – and even ourselves. Applying a catchall approach to adults aged 55 or over can subtly suggest that they are more alike than different, which is a stereotype. Learn about ageism, how it impacts society, and ways to promote inclusivity in our communities.

May 18 at 2 p.m. | Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. - What to Eat When You Can't Eat That
Learn how to read labels, identify hidden allergens, and discern the difference between an allergy, sensitivity, and intolerance. This program will discuss common and uncommon food allergies and simple substitutions for nutritious meals. Take home recipes the whole family will enjoy!

June 8 at 10 a.m. | Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. - Don't Go It Alone: Improving Your Social Connections
Social isolation and loneliness can deeply impact the quality of life, especially for older adults. Learn the difference between social isolation and loneliness, identify risk factors for both, and gain strategies for staying connected with others.

If you will need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Samantha McLain at slangley@illinois.edu or by calling (217) 300-2525. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

SOURCE: Cheri Burcham, Family Life Educator, Illinois Extension

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.