Dickens to present healthy living tips for older adults, with humor | Arts & Entertainment

As part of the ongoing efforts to provide Southern Delaware’s aging community with health and wellness programs, WeCare, a personal health nursing service in the Milford Wellness Village, has launched a new partnership with Dickens Parlour Theatre to educate older adults about chronic-disease self-management through the healing power of laughter.

Dickens Parlour Theatre, an entertainment venue in Ocean View, has been offering magic, music and comedy for more than a decade. This summer, the theater will host a series of Friday matinees called “Healthy Living at Dickens Parlour Theatre.” The sessions are designed to educate and entertain through comedy, emphasizing the role of humor in wellness.

“We are thrilled to bring our community together in this unique way. Not only do we provide entertainment, but now we also offer education that empowers our audience to manage their health proactively,” said Rich Bloch, co-founder of Dickens Parlour Theatre.

Admission is free, but space is limited. Individuals are being encouraged to sign up to attend the sessions through the theater’s website at and enjoy a series of matinee sessions where education meets entertainment in a dynamic atmosphere.

The matinee shows include:

• “A Funny Thing about Your Health and Wellness” — July 26 at 1:30 p.m.

• Healthy Living Series — Six sessions from Aug. 2 to Sept. 6, every Friday at 12:30 p.m.

Attendees of the “A Funny Thing about Your Health and Wellness” can enjoy a 90-minute session with comedian and healthcare professional Lon Kieffer, who uses humor to explore the caregiver experience. The program serves as a lively introduction to an array of wellness programs. Kieffer is also the executive director of the Milford Wellness Village, which supports the WeCare program.

The Healthy Living Series offers workshops that cover essential health management topics, such as coping with chronic conditions, effective communication with healthcare professionals, and the importance of nutrition and exercise. Each workshop promises interactive, informative sessions designed to empower and educate. While these programs are free and open to the public, pre-registration is required.

“We have been blessed with great partnerships and a growing interest in these programs,” said Kieffer. “One challenge has been connecting with individuals who are currently unaffiliated with a senior center or healthcare organizations that help spread the word and encourage people who might think the programs are too intense.”

According to Kieffer, increasingly, 55-plus planned developments invite these programs into their community clubhouses. However, the programs are often limited to the residents of each community, creating an artificial barrier to participation for non-residents, he said.

“We want to provide access to programs at convenient locations for all seniors,” said Kieffer. “We want to reach as many participants as possible and provide meaningful wellness tips that can create healthier living environments for themselves and their loved ones. Now, we can.”

WeCare, also known as Education Health Research International (EHRI), was awarded a federal grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) to provide older adults with the resources and support needed for chronic disease and diabetes self-management in the fall of 2022. EHRI’s collaboration with the ACL has enabled Milford Wellness to tailor programs that effectively address the full spectrum of health needs of seniors.

“And,” said Kieffer, “the spacious and comfortable facilities of the Dickens will serve the needs of both the community and our programs well.”