“Talking to your Health Professional about Pain Management”
NASHUA – Managing pain – both chronic and the occasional occurrence – is a fact of life for many of us as we age. The upside is that by working closely with our doctors and pharmacists, we are given the tools to help manage that pain. The downside is the very real fact that the pain medication that helps us lead active lives can also contribute to the current opioid epidemic.
Knowing how to talk to your doctor about pain management – what questions to ask and what options exist –is the subject of the March 14 Senior Education Workshop offered by Southern New Hampshire Services at the Nashua Senior Activity Center.
The critical role that seniors play in reducing the availability of unused pain medications will also be covered at the workshop.
SNHS has partnered with the Nashua Prevention Coalition to present the workshop. Dr. Terry Tranchemontagne, DO, of Amherst Family Practice will share her professional experience when prescribing pain medication including opioids to her patients. Members of the NPC will provide information on the proper disposal of unused medications as well as current statistics on how the misuse of opioids affects the Nashua community. A pharmacist has been invited to join the panel to share their perspective.
The free workshop begins at 1:00pm. The Senior Center is located at 70 Temple St., Nashua.
Please call Beth Todgham, Nashua Community Coordinator for Southern New Hampshire Services at (603) 889-3440 x 132 for more information and to register.
Please note that in case of wintery weather, the Senior Activity Center follows the Nashua schools closing schedule. The workshop will be rescheduled if schools are closed or there is a delayed opening on March 14.
Workshop participants are invited to come early and enjoy lunch offered by St. Joseph Community Services (Meals on Wheels) at the Nashua Senior Activity Center. A $2 donation is requested for diners age 60 and over; the price is slightly higher for those under 60. Pre-registration for lunch is required. Call Steve, SJCS site manager, at 882-2106 to reserve your lunch. Lunch is served at 11:45am.
Past workshops have included topics on senior fraud and identity theft, clutter control, the importance of nutrition as you age, and understanding what a loved one with dementia is experiencing. Programs have been filmed by Nashua’ Education Channel 99. They can be viewed on-line at http://nashua.ezstream.com.
ServiceLink Resource Center, the Nashua Public Library, and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services-Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services provide additional support for the workshops.
