Whole health offerings

This 30-minute telephone group is a great way to meet with other Veterans, family members, and caregivers in your area to talk about health and wellness while engaging in your favorite movement activity!

Join the VA whole health ACTION HEROES by telephone, no matter where you live, to connect with other Veterans and keep yourself motivated!

To get more information or to sign up, call a Health Coach at 650-849-0131.

For complete diabetes education both Diabetes 101 and Diabetes 102 classes are recommended; the classes do not need to be taken in any order. You may register for both classes when you call the Patient Scheduling Unit at 855-632-8262 .

Diabetes 101: Take control

This 90-minute class is taught by a registered nurse (RN) and a physical therapist (PT). For the first 60 minutes, a RN discusses causes and complications of diabetes as well as ways to take control and manage it. For the last 30 minutes, a PT discusses ways of increasing movement and activity as well as demonstrating alternative ways of performing movements and exercises.

First Friday of each month, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., via VA Video Connect (VVC)

Diabetes 102: Medication and food

This 90-minute class is taught by a pharmacist and a registered dietitian. During the first 45 minutes, the pharmacist will discuss different types of diabetic medication and how they work with your body. The second 45 minutes a registered dietitian will discuss carbohydrates, sugar-free foods, serving sizes, meal planning, and how to make sense of food labels.

Third Friday of each month, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., via VA Video Connect (VVC)

This one-time class is led by a registered dietitian. Topics covered include general healthy eating guidelines, MyPlate, portion sizes, and more.

Fourth Tuesday of the month, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
via telephone in January, March, May, July, September, and November

Fourth Tuesday of the month, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
via VA Video Connect (VVC) in February, April, June, August, October, and December

Call the Patient Scheduling Unit at 855-632-8262 to sign up.

This 90-minute group education class, presented by a registered nurse, clinical pharmacist, registered dietitian and physical therapist, is designed to help you learn about blood pressure, how to manage high blood pressure, and how high blood pressure affects the body. We will discuss ways you can manage your blood pressure through activity, medication, food, weight management, and more.

We share resources like the MOVE! weight management program, Whole Health, nutrition, physical therapy, Telequit, Telehealth, the Veterans Health Library, and more in the group.

Anyone who would like to learn more about how to manage high blood pressure can join; family and caregivers are welcome.

One Thursday each month, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., via VA Video Connect (VVC) – typically the 4th Thursday of the month.

You may register by calling the Patient Scheduling Unit at 855-632-8262 

This 90-minute, one-time class provides an orientation to the MOVE! program and presents the opportunity to connect with further weight management options and whole health.

Both classes are provided via VA Video Connect which also has a dial-in option.

First Wednesday of the month, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Third Wednesday of the month, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Call the Patient Scheduling Unit at 855-632-8262 to sign up.

This 60-minute class introduces you to the whole health coach. It helps you start to identify what is important to you, and how you can start on your whole health journey.

Varies, call for class offering, via VA Video Connect (VVC)

Call 650-849-0131 to sign up and for more information.

iRest

iRest™ is a version of an ancient yoga nidra (sleep) meditation developed with a military/Veteran population in mind. This 8-session series was adapted from an 8-week iRest meditation series and recorded live during weekly phone meditation sessions offered by the California War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC).

Thursdays via telephone

Call 866-899-4679, access code 637-876-469, to join.

Call 650-785-6661 for more information.

Adaptive tai chi (seated/wheelchair)
In person or virtual

Tuesday, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In person at Palo Alto VA
Virtual via VA Video Connect (VVC)

You must register prior to attending. Email michael.voigt2@va.gov to sign up and for more information.

Qigong
In person or virtual

Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In person at Palo Alto VA
Virtual via VA Video Connect (VVC)

You must register prior to attending. Email michael.voigt2@va.gov to sign up and for more information.

This 60-minute educational lecture is part of an ongoing series that introduces Veterans to wellness, complementary /integrative health modalities, and providers within VA and the local community.

Second Wednesday of the month, 11:00 a.m. to noon, via VA Video Connect (VVC)

Email michael.voigt2@va.gov to sign up and for more information.

Yoga is gentle movement that is accessible to anyone. Classes are 60 minutes, and can include mat or chair options.

Varies, call for class offering, via VA Video Connect (VVC)

Call 888-482-4376 to sign up, or ask for a referral from your Primary Care Team.