Minnesotans Get Help to Stay Well in Their Homes with Research-Based Online Classes

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COVID-19 has brought the world to a sudden halt. Stores are closed, events are cancelled, and everyone is staying home. Juniper has embraced the challenges and developed an innovative way to offer health courses while following #StayHomeMN and social distancing rules.

Over the past year, Juniper providers, in partnership with the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, have led more than 500 wellness classes in communities across Minnesota. In March, all community-based Juniper courses were cancelled due to COVID-19. These courses, once in person, are now moving online to offer Juniper’s nationally recognized and locally delivered classes in the safety of people’s homes. “We are excited to partner with providers from our region like A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota, River’s Edge Hospital, and VINE Faith in Action to offer these classes online so we can continue serving the people of southwest Minnesota and statewide.” Said program developer Krista Eichhorst. The live, online courses are facilitated by trained and certified leaders and limited in class size to ensure sharing and interaction.

Juniper courses offer high-quality content that helps older adults live life fully and independently. People can choose from classes that focus on building strength and balance, preventing falls, or managing conditions that get in the way of feeling their best. The classes are beneficial for people coping with high blood pressure, heart disease, COPD, arthritis, diabetes, or other health conditions.

Past participants report eating healthier, increasing physical activity, working better with their healthcare professionals, and feeling better. People don’t have to do it alone. While Juniper courses help people improve their health, they are also a way for participants to connect with and support others as a community.

“The exercises I learned in this program carry over and make me more mindful in my movements at home.” – Class Participant

“The most valuable part of the class was meeting other people with similar conditions and sharing our lives and working together.” – Class Participant

Live on easy-to-use and HIPAA-secure video conferencing, participants engage in real-time with course leaders and fellow participants. Juniper classes help people overcome the challenges of self-isolating and take charge of their health. It’s easy for people to sign up for an online course that best fits their desired outcome:

  • Step 1: Go to yourjuniper.org to see course offerings or call 855-215-2174 to speak with a Juniper specialist.
  • Step 2: Register for your desired course. Participants will receive an email with a link to join the class.

About Juniper

Juniper is a statewide network rooted in individual communities. Area Agencies on Aging-six regional and one tribal entity-act as hubs for community organizations, healthcare organizations and class leaders. The network offers evidence-based health promotion classes to improve health and wellness across Minnesota. Juniper is a program of Innovations of Aging, a nonprofit subsidiary of Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging. Learn more at yourjuniper.org.

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