Sign up today! We still have space in our spring 2023 classes

Classroom of students and three instructors with their hands in the air playing Bingocize. — Bingocize is a popular class that combines health information with exercise and the game of Bingo!

Moving & Strengthening, Fall Prevention, Health Management and Adventures in VR

We love to see our classes full and people learning ways to live a healthier lifestyle. We have numerous classes starting in just a couple weeks that have two or more seats left and we want you to take advantage of them, if you have the time or interest. Please consider the following and call us at 805-388-1952 to register.

Finding Meaning and Hope

How can family caregivers regain hope and build resilience when dealing with feelings of ongoing loss while caring for someone with chronic illness, like dementia? This series equips family caregivers with an understanding of ambiguous loss, the phrase coined by Dr. Pauline Boss to describe the loss one feels when someone is physically present but mentally absent. "Finding Meaning and Hope" explores skills that help you stay strong, healthy, resilient and positive as you navigate your caregiving journey with healing and hope. Classes are set Thursdays, May 4-July 6, 2:30-4 p.m. at no charge. Register by calling 805-388-1952.

"Healthier Living "Chronic Pain Self-Management

Do you have a chronic health condition or care for someone who does? The award-winning Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is based on research conducted at Stanford University. Take the first step to manage ongoing health conditions with easy methods to reduce fatigue, anxiety and sleep loss. This is a virtual class. Session Zero, to get you familiar with the online platform, is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2:30-3:30 p.m. The series continues Mondays, May 15-June 26, 2:30-3:30 p.m. There is no charge for this series.

Diabetes Self-Management

An award-winning series based on research conducted at Stanford University is designed for anyone with Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes and anyone caring for a loved one with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Learn methods to reduce fatigue, pain, stress and fear through exercise and healthy eating, and to effectively manage the disease to improve quality and outlook on life. This is a virtual class. Session Zero is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
The series will be held Wednesdays, May 10-June 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m. There is no charge for this six-week series.

May contain: adult, female, person, woman, chair, furniture, accessories, bag, handbag, desk, table, and plate — Bingocize combines education with exercise and social engagement.

Dementia Live

Dementia Live is a high impact, dementia simulation experience that immerses participants into life with dementia, resulting in a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with cognitive impairment and sensory change. Participants are outfitted in specialized gear and given a series of tasks to perform. The challenges and struggles one faces become very real to the participant, triggering heightened empathy and understanding, creating a catalyst for meaningful communication and improving quality of care. This experience is offered on Friday, May 5, between 9 a.m. and noon (1-hour long; sign up for 9, 10 or 11 a.m.) There is no charge.

Depression and Caregiver Burden Screening

It is well-documented that long-term, unrelieved caregiving duties, especially when caring for loved ones with dementia, can have negative impacts on the health, personal, social and/or financial well-being of the caregiver. Depression and a sense a well-being become significant factors to evaluate.

The Caregiver Center utilizes the Zarit Burden Interview to assess a caregiver's perception of "burden" to see if those areas are being affected, with a focus on depression, mental health, negative affect, social support, stress and coping (American Psychological Association), as well as the PHQ-9 Depression Screening tool.

The PHq-9 is a "multipurpose instrument for screening, diagnosing, monitoring and measuring the severity of depression" (National Institute of Health), and utilizes a brief self-report tool. The tool rates the frequency of symptoms which factors in the scoring severity index.

Camarillo Health Care District's use and/or results of the PHQ-9 is not a diagnosis. It is outside of the District's scope to diagnose. Self-reported answers indicate scores that can be measured against the categories listed on the tool, with further desription. It's imperative that you consult your physician for symptoms of depression.

This screening will be offered Friday, June 2, 9 a.m.-noon, in one-hour blocks. No charge.

Bingocize

Bingocize is a fun and interactive program, based on research conducted at Western Kentucky University, combining education with exercise and social engagement. Methods taught in this course focus on health education, such as nutrition and fall prevention, knowledge of fall risks, ways to reduce falls, health activation, and aspects of cognition. The exercise component focuses on improving functional performance for upper and lower body strength, balance and range of motion. This 10-week series is offered at no charge on Mondays and Wednesdays, May 15-July 24, 11 a.m.-noon.

May contain: person, walking, people, clothing, coat, jacket, jeans, pants, animal, canine, dog, mammal, pet, footwear, shoe, accessories, bag, handbag, city, and glasses — Beginners Walking Group meets 9-10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Walking Group

Regular walking can help strengthen your legs, reduce stress, benefit your heart and improve overall sense of well-being. This beginners walking group is for every age (minors must be accompanied by qualified guardian). There is a five-minute warm-up and 30-minute walk. Safe, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear are required. Please join us. Before you know it, you’ve met some new friends and enjoyed some exercise! This group meets at the Camarillo Health Care District, Building E. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-10 a.m.

Introductory Level Adventures in VR

Nature Treks: Explore the natural world, choosing different settings in nature at night or during the day, with music or soothing sounds of nature, and encountering 20 different animals, including dinosaurs, tigers, elephants and bears, or spend your time meditating in nature. If this is your first time to using Oculus/Meta 2 virtual reality headsets and controllers, no worries. We’ll spend 20-25 minutes showing you how to use them, plus discussing the benefits of VR. The next 50 minutes will be spent enjoying our adventures before we all chat about our experiences and document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport. Wednesdays through June 28, 9-10:15 a.m. Cost is $5 per class (non-district residents add $4)

Ocean Rift: Explore the ocean as a virtual scuba diver getting introduced to and learning about the different sea creatures, from Great White Sharks, Beluga and Humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions to sea snakes and the now-extinct Pliosaurus and Mosasaurus aquatic lizards. If this is your first time using a virtual reality headsets and controllers, we will show you how. We'll also set aside time to discuss the benefits of VR. The next 50 minutes will be spent enjoying our adventures before we all chat about our experiences and document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport. Fridays through June 30, 10-11:15 a.m. Cost is $5 per class (non-district residents add $4)

Guided Tai Chi: Choose "Tutorial" (5 minutes) to learn the movements, and then immerse yourself in the 3-minute "Arcade." Select your flow, such as Energized, Joyful, Relaxation, Spontaneous, Courage or Flourish. Then choose six environments in nature among 20 available to practice Tai Chi while relazing and connecting with your mind, body and spirit. Each session is about four minutes.

Thursdays, May 18 and June 22, 11 a.m.-noon. Cost is $5 (non-district residents add $4)

(All individual classes, intro level. At least one intro class is required to go on to intermediate or pro.)

May contain: vr headset — Virtual reality classes offer opportunities to travel, interact with animals and nature, and much more while lifting mood.

Intermediate Level Adventures in VR

After taking one or two introductory classes, you may sign up for our Intermediate Level classes, BRINK Traveler, Alcove, Wander and Independent Adventures.

BRINK Traveler: Session 1 (75 min): 15-minute review the benefits of VR, use of equipment, sign liability paperwork and review agenda for series. 60 minutes traveling through 4 destinations Horseshoe Bend, Colorado; Mount Morrison, California; White Pocket, Arizona; Mount Whitney in Lone Pine, California, and other locations, followed by discussion and optional journaling/travelogue)

Session 2 (75 min): Travel through the Alabama Hills in California; Arches National Park in Moab, Utah; the north and south side of Death Valley National Park straddling the California-Nevada border; Crystal Crag, a dramatic and rugged mass of rock south of Yosemite, plus other locations, followed by discussion and optional journaling/travelogue.

Mondays and Tuesdays, May 15 and 16, 9-10:15 a.m. (two-part series, pro level - at least one intro class required before you sign up.)

Cost: $20 (non-district residents add $4)

Alcove: Choose your mode of transportation: a convertible sportscar for a U.S. road trip, Las Vegas to Ventura, and eight other trips; take a hot-air balloon and view Kenya and the Swiss Alps from the sky; or hop on a double-decker bus for a guided tour of Washington, D.C., Paris, Tokyo, Dubai, Rome and other places. We’ll discuss the benefits of VR, chat about our experiences and document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport. Cost is $20 (2-part series) (non-district residents add $4) Mondays, May 8 and 22, and June 5 and 19, 9-10:15 a.m. (two-part series, pro level - at least one intro class required before you sign up.)

Wander: Go wherever your heart desires, whether the address of your childhood home, your college campus, the streets of your hometown, a tropical or historical destination, or somewhere you’ve always wanted to explore or return to a favorite vacation spot to bring back those memories. This application is a 360-degree immersive, photo-based experience on Google Street Maps. We’ll discuss the benefits of VR and participate in a post-survey, chat about our experiences and document our travel adventures in our Adventures in VR passport. Cost is $10 (non-district residents add $4)Tuesdays, May 23, June 13 or June 20, 9-10:15 a.m. (individual classes, pro level - at least one intro class required before you sign up.)

Independent Adventures: With Independent Adventures, the world is your oyster. You're assigned a VR headset with pre-loaded applications. Choose virtual travel, guided Tai Chi or meditation, cook in a virtual kitchen, go on "photo assignment" in Antarctica or Machu Picchu, Peru, experience heightened senses with Notes on Blindness, or snorkel or hangout in nature with animals. There are also musical concerts, brain training exercises and more. A staff member will be available to help troubleshoot any issues with the equipment or apps, or give you tips and tricks on navigating to the place you want to go. Cost: $10 per session (non-district residents add $4) Tuesdays through June 27, 1-2 p.m. (individual classes, pro level - at least one intro class required before you sign up.)

Call 805-388-1952 to register for any of these classes.

Health and Wellness 3D Video Library

If you're looking to improve your health and wellness, from understanding your brain to the benefits of regular exercise and more, our "Independent VR Adventures" series offers videos on a variety of topics while you're immersed in a 3D environment.