Build Better Habits with Samaritan’s Healthy Lifestyles

Published on: November 24, 2023

It’s no surprise that those who live healthier lives can live longer—but how much longer? 

Depending on where you look or what you read, you’ll find studies that have found individuals who exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and don’t smoke can live as much as 14 years longer than those who don’t.  

That’s a lot of extra days to spend with family and friends, pursue favorite activities, or enjoy some peaceful (and healthy) time alone—and at a time when hours seem to be flying by, we’d all like to extend our lives as much as possible. Acknowledging this is the easy part. 

Do you think changing habits is hard? If so, you’re not alone. 

“Whether with ambitious diets or New Year’s resolutions, pursuing drastic changes can set even the best-intentioned people up for failure,” says Dr. Joseph Wetterhahn, primary care physician at Samaritan. “Making big changes starts with small steps, like finding a program that can support your individual health goals.”  

This is how Samaritan’s Healthy Lifestyles program has worked for many people. 

A healthier you, by you 

Good health doesn’t happen in days, weeks, or overnight. It takes planning, information and support with the help of professionals, then a commitment from the individual to use what they’ve learned and make beneficial changes permanent. 

Samaritan’s Healthy Lifestyles is designed to provide direction to those interested in pursuing healthier habits and teach how to self-manage one’s own health, fitness routine, and overall wellness in the years ahead. 

“Through our Healthy Lifestyles program, we’re able to show people healthier ways to live,” says Teresa Intorcia, a registered dietician nutritionist (RDN) with Healthy Lifestyles. “With a combination of education and helpful guidance, we can support each individual as they make changes that, little by little, can lead to big results.” 

Monitored by Samaritan physicians, the program uses a comprehensive approach to chronic disease treatment and prevention that includes nutrition, exercise, and behavior therapy for those in need. Health education is provided in both group and individual settings; and as each enrollee advances through the program, reports are provided to their individual physicians to inform of their ongoing progress.  

“These progress reports can provide both information and motivation, and that motivation is certainly a goal of the program,” says Dr. Wetterhahn. “Maintaining one’s health isn’t an easy job, so we’re happy to provide a push to those pursuing a better life.”   

Who can benefit from Healthy Lifestyles? 

All children and adults could benefit from guidance available through Samaritan’s Healthy Lifestyles program. But the program can provide essential help for those currently suffering from diagnosed medical conditions such as: 

• obesity 
• diabetes 
• Celiac disease 
• eating disorders 
• heart disease 
• lipid/cholesterol 
• cancer 
• hypertension 
• lung disease 
• failure to thrive 
• tube-feeding 
• and much, much more 

All services within the Healthy Lifestyles program require a physician referral. Please contact your insurance company to verify coverage. 

An added focus on weight management and wellness 

Saying no to food can be hard—especially when excessive eating can provide comfort in the most stressful of times.  

If you’re looking for help focusing specifically on managing these urges, then the Healthy Lifestyles Weight Management and Wellness program may be for you. It’s designed to give adults the tools they need to be successful in achieving their initial weight loss goals, and then manage a healthy weight for life.  

“Weight loss success can be as simple as having the right tools,” says Intorcia. “With this segment of our Healthy Lifestyles program, we try to provide as many tools as possible, all to help with the individualized needs of each enrollee.” 

Led by a team of nutrition and weight loss professionals, enrollees can learn how to:  

• develop healthy eating habits 
• make a menu within a budget 
• shop smart at the supermarket 
• get energized with exercise 
• pursue and practice healthier habits year-round  

To learn more about Samaritan and the various aspects of its Healthy Lifestyles program, visit https://samaritanhealth.com/service/healthy-lifestyles-program/, or call (315) 785-4667. 

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