WIHA Update | Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging

April 2026

2025 in Review

Together, we made a meaningful impact in 2025! With your support and partnership, WIHA programs reached communities across 49 counties and 2 tribes, delivering 260 workshops and engaging 2,383 participants in evidence-based programs that support healthy aging. We welcomed 112 new facilitators into this work—expanding our network of passionate leaders bringing these programs to life locally. The Age Well Series continued to grow, reaching with more than 1,000 participants and introducing over 600 new people to WIHA and our mission. Beyond Wisconsin, our national licensing efforts also continued to expand, bringing proven programs to even more communities across the country. None of this would be possible without you—thank you for being part of this work to help all of us age well, together. Read our full annual report below.

Participant Recruitment

During our April Office Hours, we asked how organizations are recruiting participants. We heard of partnerships with EMS, participants talking to their doctors to spread the word, flyers at libraries, churches, and word of mouth, newsletters, and more!

We watched a video by Kim Lombard on using MyChart to refer people into programs. Watch the video here or view the slides.

However you choose, partnering with other local organizations is a great way to spread the word about programs and get referrals into programs.

Need help with participant recruitment? Reach out to one of our Health Promotion Program Coordinators!

Seeking Pisando Fuerte Facilitators

We were recently awarded funds from the Wisconsin Partnership Program to help us to expand the high-level evidence-based Pisando Fuerte program. For a short time, Spanish-speaking facilitators may take the Pisando Fuerte Facilitator Training at no cost AND receive a stipend of up to $700 per workshop offered (up to 2 workshops).

Now is the perfect time to bring this high-level evidence-based falls prevention program to Hispanic/Latino older adults in your community!

What else is new?

We have a new team member! Elizabet Tesch is our new Bilingual Falls Prevention Program Coordinator! She is here to help with all things Pisando Fuerte and would love to set up a meeting with your organization to discuss how you can bring Pisando Fuerte to your community. Contact her at elizabet.tesch@wihealthyaging.org.

Program Updates

Chronic Conditions Workshops

• Support Session Guide - Now available! This is an optional guide for facilitators to keep participants engaged after the 6-week workshop. Find it under Program Resources on our website.
• Charts - Charts have been updated and are now on the website. In addition, SMRC has released Chart Participant Handouts for any participant who requests a paper copy of the charts. These are also available on the Program Resources section of the website.
• Self-Evaluations - Reminder! Please be sure you are completing a self-evaluation for each CDSME program at least 1x/year.
• Just Scheduled - Refresher Training - June 11th. If you are not able to offer a workshop or are at risk of losing certification, you can enroll in the upcoming Refresher Training to maintain your certification. Program providers - please touch base with your facilitators to see if this option is needed for them. Look for Leader Training: Chronic Condition Programs Refresher on our Facilitator Training Schedule page.

Mind Over Matter

• Reminder: Spanish materials now available! Any bilingual individual may be trained as a facilitator (in English) and offer the workshop in their community in Spanish.
• New: Hmong materials coming soon!

Office Hours

View the recording!

Upcoming Office Hours:

July 9 (Thurs) 10AM

Oct 14 (Wed) 1PM

Upcoming Age Well Series

View the flyers below - download and share a version that works for you to promote these webinars in your community! Host a Watch Party to view the webinars together!

• V1 - with button
• V2 - with QR Code
• V3 - No registration

• V1 - with button
• V2 - with QR Code
• V3 - No registration

• V1 - with button
• V2 - with QR Code
• V3 - No registration

Few Spots Open!

We have a few spots still open in our upcoming Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder facilitator training! Don't wait! Registration closes April 27th!

Facilitator Trainings

Don't miss your opportunity to bring a high-level evidence-based program to your community! Special pricing in 2026 for Healthy Living with Chronic Pain, Healthy Living with Diabetes, Living Well with Chronic Conditions, and Pisando Fuerte!

Subscribe!

In addition to the WIHA Update, check out the following communications we have! Click to subscribe.

• WIHA Age Well Newsletter - geared towards community members
• WIHA Update - for professionals working in healthy aging
• Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection - get updates and information on social connection
• Falls Free Wisconsin Newsletter - geared towards professionals working in falls prevention 
• Reframing Aging & Disability - join the champions list to learn more about reframing aging & disability

Coalition Updates

Join us for the virtual Advancing Resilience: A Falls Prevention Summit — a two half-day event designed to inform, inspire, and advance falls prevention efforts statewide. Hear from engaging speakers on a wide range of topics focused on helping communities all across Wisconsin age safely and confidently. Learn more and register here. 

The Falls Free Wisconsin Coalition’s quarterly media campaign is focused on safe movement as summer approaches. The campaign highlights how assistive devices like walking poles, canes, and walkers can support confidence, mobility, and independence while getting out and about. Explore new promotional materials on our website.

Join us on May 6th for a webinar on this topic — open to everyone! Help spread the word: share the flyer and consider hosting a watch party in your community!

NEW Resource: Home Safety Guide

This new guide connects community members to local, state, and national resources that support safe and independent living at home. From home safety assessments and modifications to helpful local agencies, it’s a one-stop resource for aging with confidence. Print or share the link. 

We’re Hiring! Put connection at the heart of what you do

The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA), convener of the Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection (WCSC) is hiring a Health Promotion Program Coordinator (50% FTE) to coordinate WCSC and oversee all social connection initiatives and activities at WIHA. Learn more and apply.

Save the Dates:

•       Global Loneliness Awareness Week: June 15-21

•       Wisconsin’s Social Connection Awareness Week: November 8-14

Register for our next bi-monthly Network meeting (Tuesday, April 21 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.) here. 

WIHA Team

Thank You, 2026 Sponsors!

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