Healthy You is a new comprehensive health and wellness program, initiated by Cary Medical Center, that was developed in direct response to feedback from a series of focus groups conducted in Aroostook County.  Focus group results revealed that residents wanted programs and information that extended beyond traditional health promotion and education.  Respondents spoke of a current lack of information and services that address topics not typically part of a person's routine healthcare, but that definitely affect their overall wellbeing.

"Through Healthy You, we want to empower residents to improve or enhance their lives," said Kris Doody, RN, CEO of Cary Medical Center.  "While overall physical health is important, we recognize that there are many other factors that contribute to a person's wellbeing.  Healthy You will address these issues through a unique combination of programming that covers traditional health and modern wellness."

The basic concept of Healthy You is to deliver a wide range of high quality, accessible health and wellness programs to residents in central and northern Aroostook County.  Healthy You will be offered in the six target communities of Washburn, Limestone, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Van Buren, and Presque Isle for two full months each per year.  In addition to local programs, ongoing education will be provided throughout the year through online resources, direct mail, contests, and other special promotions.  All residents will be invited to participate in any Healthy You program regardless of which town it is being offered and nearly every program will be provided free of charge.  Participants will also receive special incentives throughout the program, as well as be eligible to win prizes that include an all expenses paid trip for two to one of six popular American destinations.

“We have a very dynamic Healthy You schedule lined up for each community,” said Kim Jones, Cary Medical Center’s Public Relations coordinator and Healthy You program manager.  “Residents will have convenient and on-going access to health and wellness information, as well as numerous opportunities to participate in fun interactive and educational activities.”

Topics that will be covered through Healthy You include financial planning, caregiver support, parenting, disease prevention, personal enrichment, holistic medicine, aging, prescription assistance, stress management, and nutrition.  Additionally, programs of particular interest to men, women, teens, seniors, and families will be offered.  According to Jones, Healthy You will be customized to meet the needs of the six target communities and will be delivered in a wide variety of formats.  Each month, Healthy You programs will include lectures, health screenings, workshops, health fairs, support groups, contests, socialization opportunities, and numerous other activities.

“We have created a program that will appeal to almost everyone regardless of their interests, abilities, or current health condition,” said Jones.  “Healthy You will continue to evolve based on feedback from participants through formal and informal surveys.  This isn’t a pre-packaged program; it’s customized to meet the needs and wants of Aroostook County residents.”

Healthy You will also serve as a vehicle for existing services and programs through partnerships with local, state, and national agencies.  In addition to a major corporate sponsorship from Key Bank and support from Pines Health Services, Cary Medical Center is collaborating with local businesses, recreation departments, school departments, civic groups, and other health and wellness organizations to maximize the resources that are currently available.

“Healthy You is a model that will demonstrate the tremendous power and impact a collaborative, locally-driven program can have on an entire community,” said Doody.  “We fully anticipate that we will be able to help thousands of County residents ‘live full of life’.”

For more information about Healthy You, contact Cary Medical Center’s Public Relations Department at 498-1361.