S2 Ep928: St. Pete Eats w/Wendy Wesley: Aria Garling, Seniors in Service Health Buddies Program

In this episode of St. Pete Eats, host Wendy Wesley talks about the Health Buddies Program with Aria Garling, Seniors in Service. Health Buddies, a Seniors in Service program, helps to reduce preventable hospital readmissions for individuals living with chronic conditions through telephone interventions that empower them to self-manage their health. Volunteers are trained to provide support to help clients live independently, with dignity.  Health Buddies Coordinator at [e-mail]. 

• Visit https://seniorsinservice.org/health-buddies/ to sign-up or submit a referral. Include your name, phone number, and who referred you.
• Anyone over 18 with a phone, who lives with a chronic condition, and resides in Pinellas, Pasco, or Hillsborough County can join to be matched with a Health Buddy.
• Health Buddies are background checked volunteers over the age of 18.
• A coordinator will contact you by the next business day to answer any questions and match you with your Health Buddy.
• Benefits include support and companionship, making community connections, understanding of your own health needs, reduced loneliness, improved wellness and overall health, and no costs or charges to patient, provider, or insurance!

WHAT'S INCLUDED 12 weeks of companionship through telephonic contact 2 to 3 times per week for at least 15 minutes per call, with frequency based on client need. Typically there are two 15-minutes calls and one 30-minute call per week, for at least one hour of weekly companionship.Connects clients to essential resources (food, housing, etc.). Other services may be available, depending on client needs. After 12 weeks, clients who still need support get referred for our ongoing Senior Companion Services and/or other community-resources. 

ABOUT WENDY WESLEY Wesley is an award-winning registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist who works to improve the health of the community. Her articles, interviews, cooking lessons and recipes have been featured in the Washington Post, ABC News Worldwide, The San Francisco Chronicle, Tampa Bay Times, Reader's Digest and every media outlet in Tampa Bay. Her specialties include budget-friendly home cooking, unprocessed food meal plans and menopause health. In her St. Pete Eats podcast, Wendy connects listeners with gardeners, farmers, chefs, food pantries and food policy throughout the sunshine city. Wendy Wesley, RDN  727-823-0393
www.WendyWesleyNutrition.com
www.StPeteCookingSchool.com
UPCOMING EVENTS Wendy will be teaching a free nutrition class and cooking demo at Daystar Teaching Kitchen July 31 10:30 am.

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