CalAgrAbility conducted three "Get Moving: Arthritis Prevention & Pain Management Exercise Program" classes and two "Taking the Reins and Keep Moving" combination workshops. The exercise classes were conducted at the Davis Senior Center and at Clinica Tepati. Starting May 7 classes in Davis will start at Atria Covell Gardens senior living. They will be every Tuesday at 3:00pm and classes are open to the residents and public. CalAgrAbility staff conducted an English "Taking the Reins and Keep Moving" combination workshop at North Valley Indian Health (NVIH) in Willows, CA. NVIH provides health services to eligible American Indians in the service areas of Colusa and Glenn Counties and portions of Butte and Tehama Counties. Services provided include health care, health education, community resources, workshops, health fairs, and events. NVIH invited CalAgrAbility to conduct the arthritis training because they have a couple of patients who have arthritis and have worked in agriculture. Participants as well as the health care providers enjoyed the training very much and would like for CalAgrAbility to return next month for another training for those who were unable to attend the first one. The other "Taking the Reins and Keep Moving" was conducted in Spanish at the Davis Migrant Center. CalAgrAbility staff collaborated with a student run organization, Mujeres Ayudando la Raza (MAR) at UC Davis to provide services to the residents of the migrant center. In total, CalAgrAbility was able to educate 50 farm families on arthritis, prevention, and pain management.
CalAgrAbility presented to the undergraduate volunteers of Clinca Tepati at UC Davis at their meeting. CalAg staff conducted a presentation of AgrAbility services and the service provided to the Clinca Tepati patients. Staff explained to the undergraduates that the program conducts one exercise class a month at Clinica Tepati for the patients who have arthritis, are interested in learning about arthritis, and for those who want to have some fun while they wait to be seen by the medical students and doctors. CalAg staff described what the classes are like and gave a demonstration of what a typical class looks like. CalAgrAbility staff presented on the success of the exercises and encouraged the undergraduates to attend the classes on their free time, as well as be a part of the program and get trained to become exercise leaders.
Staff also attended the annual health and safety fair sponsored by the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. CalAgrAbility has represented at this event for several years now and it is well attended. CalAgrAbility staff networked with Walnut Grove First Five and they are interested in arthritis training for the parents. CalAgrAbility also had a display at the 2013 UC-Davis Picnic Day. Staff provided CalAgrAbility brochures, Harvest Newsletters, Toolbox CDs, and Arthritis and Ag brochures.
Once again, CalAgrAbility was able to sign up consumers for the One Sight Eyeglasses program through LensCrafters Optical. LensCrafters Optical works with One Sight to provide low-income, uninsured patients free eye exams and eyeglasses. LensCrafters Optical and One Sight have provided eyeglasses for three consumers in the past and will continue to provide eyeglasses. So far One Sight has helped 10 consumers to obtain a free eye exam and eye glasses.
Submitted by Martha Stiles