My Life, My Health – Managing Your Chronic Conditions

EverythingWestport.com

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Is living with a chronic condition preventing you from really living?

“The Westport Council of Aging (COA) has been awarded a partnership with the Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Council of Aging Association,” Mary Ellen Gomes said, “to implement the My Life, My Health, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. We couldn’t be more pleased. This is perhaps the most significant program the Senior Center has offered to Westport residents to-date.”

The Westport COA Director was spot on.

“This program is available for any resident 18 to 98,” said Toni Cormier, Volunteer Coordinator for the Westport COA. “It’s not just for seniors.”

“There is no cost for these workshops,” Mary Ellen Gomes was happy to announce.

If you have a chronic condition such as high blood pressure, arthritis, heart problems, anxiety or diabetes to name a few, than you need to look at this program.

MY LIFE, MY HEALTH

Managing Your Chronic Conditions

A six week workshop offered to adults

living with one or more long term health conditions

Created by Stanford University, this evidence-based program promotes the empowerment of people with chronic conditions and their loved ones to take control of their health and to improve the quality of their life.

It’s a series of workshops given for two and a half hours, once a week for six weeks at the Westport Council of Aging. The workshop focuses on problem solving and action planning. Participants who successfully complete the program may be eligible for a small stipend.

“You will get the support you need, find practical ways to deal with pain and fatigue, discover better nutrition and exercise choices, understand new treatment choices, and learn easier ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health”.

“Now I have more energy than I’ve had in years. I’m calmer and more confident about my health.”

“The workshops have put me back in charge of my life, and I feel great. I only wish I had done this sooner.”

Recently the Massachusetts Department of Public Health conducted a training program for the “leaders” of the upcoming workshop (pictures below). Mary Ellen Gomes, Deb Novo, and Connie McQuoid were all trained as “leaders” and will conduct the workshops. The workshops will be in small groups of between 12 and 15 people.

Marilyn Gardner and Ed Pomfred (both pictured in photo below right), trainers for the Department of Public Health, were on hand March 25 of this year to provide instructional guidance to Westport COA staff and volunteer “leaders”.

“It is a very detailed program,” Ms. Cormier said. “Our “leaders” will help COA clients identify and set goals to better manage health or chronic illness. For example a client who was walking 6 miles a day may feel that due to a recent illness they can no longer walk. With the proper guidance and encouragement, the client may feel comfortable attempting a more modest goal of 2 miles per day.” The “leaders” will help create action plans that should produce manageable goals. “A client is more motivated to achieve their established goals, as they will have to report back to their group on the success of their efforts,” Ms. Cormier said. This “group therapy” approach will involve the clients more deeply than an individual on their own.

“These workshops will be very empowering and will exert a positive influence on people of all ages who are struggling with a chronic illness,” Ms. Cormier said. “It will help people put life back into their lives.”

My Life, My Health is funded with support from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging through a grant from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Arthritis Integration Dissemination Project.

You will set your own goals and make a personal step-by-step plan to improve your health and your life! You will get the support you need, find practical ways to deal with pain and fatigue, discover better nutrition and exercise choices, understand new treatment choices, and learn easier ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health.

Once-a-week classes will begin May 4th and will be held for two and a half hours with a twenty minute break (12 noon to 2:30 p.m.). If you are interested in signing up for the program, please call Toni Cormier, Volunteer Coordinator, at (508) 961-7227 or the Westport Council of Aging at (508) 636-1026. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible to schedule you for a class.

I was tired. I hurt all the time. It felt like my health problems were telling me what I could do and couldn’t do. My Life, My Health workshops put me back in charge.

Learn about My Life, My Health workshops to help you to:

* Set and meet personal goals * Talk to your doctor about your health

* Make choices about your treatment * Handle stress and learn to relax

* Increase your energy level * Have fun!

Feel better! Be in control! Do the things you want to do!

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing Massachusetts these funds to integrate arthritis intervention expansion activities into other chronic disease and/or health promotion programs.

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