ALBUQUERQUE — Oasis Albuquerque announced today that it received a $38,250 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s (BCBSNM) Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® initiative. The grant will support Oasis Albuquerque’s Helping Elders Achieve Long-Term Health (HEALTH) program, which works to make programs and resources for aging well available in our community.
This grant funding supports three programs. First, the Oasis Foot Care Clinic, making at least 300 nail trimming services available to older adults. Maintaining healthy toenails is not just cosmetic; it is important for promoting foot health, including preventing falls, foot pain, ingrown nails, and infections. People who have difficulty reaching their feet can have their toenails professionally trimmed by a healthcare provider in a private appointment at Oasis. Second, the grant supports the Aging Mastery Program (AMP), which was developed by the National Council on Aging to help older adults age well. The 10-week program covers a different topic each week with topics ranging from financial fitness to healthy relationships to sleep quality. Third, the grant supports A Matter of Balance, an evidence-based, 8-week program that helps older adults identify and modify their risks for falls in a small support group setting.
“Oasis is excited to bring the Aging Mastery Program to the Albuquerque metro area, while continuing to make high-demand programs, specifically A Matter of Balance and Foot Care Clinics, available to older adults in our community through support from BCBSNM,” said Kathleen Raskob, executive director of Albuquerque Oasis. “These programs provide empowering opportunities for older adults to maintain independence and age well.”
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is proud to be a longstanding supporter of Oasis Albuquerque, which shares our commitment to help older adults in New Mexico lead healthy and active lives,” said Janice Torrez, BCBSNM president. “The Foot Care Clinic, Aging Mastery Program and A Matter of Balance provide needed resources for seniors to improve access to care, prevent medical conditions and increase awareness of healthy choices.”
BCBSNM’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and partner with nonprofit organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs in nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management, and supporting safe environments. Oasis Albuquerque’s commitment to promote healthy aging through lifelong learning, active lifestyles, and volunteer engagement aligns with the vision of Healthy Kids, Healthy Families to improve the health of children and their families across New Mexico.
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About Oasis Albuquerque
Oasis Albuquerque, established in 1991, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healthy aging in three ways: lifelong learning, healthy living, and social engagement. In addition to offering approximately 500 lectures, concerts, health and wellness programs, day trips, and walks each year, volunteer opportunities abound, including through the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring program.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is one of the largest commercial health insurers in New Mexico with more than 680,000 New Mexicans carrying a Blue Cross and Blue Shield card. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.