Caregiver Corner Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshops (CDSMP) brings great news for older adults and caregivers with on-going problems such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, heart and lung disease, asthma, and any chronic pain. Live Well-CDSMP is a nationwide evidence-based health promotion program developed by Stanford University. Live Well-CDSMP workshops meet weekly for six weeks for 2 ½ hours a week in community settings such as senior centers, churches, libraries and hospitals. Workshops are highly interactive and are facilitated from a highly-detailed manual by two trained leaders, one or both of whom may be peers with a chronic health conditions themselves. Workshops help participants and caregivers to:
- Find better ways of dealing with pain and fatigue
- Discover easy exercises to help improve or maintain strength and energy
- Learn the appropriate use of medications
- Improve nutrition
- Talk effectively with family, friends and health professionals
- Understand new treatment choices
- Feel better about life
Workshops cover new topics each week and provide opportunities for interaction and group problem solving. The Live Well Self-Management Workshop will not conflict with existing programs or treatment. It is designed to enhance regular treatment and disease-specific education such as Better Breathers, cardiac rehabilitation, or diabetes instruction. In addition, many people have more than one chronic condition. The program is especially helpful for these people, as it gives them the skills to coordinate all the things needed to manage their health, as well as to help them keep active in their lives. If you or someone you know has a chronic health problem or is the caregiver of someone who has a chronic health problem and is interested in learning more about these workshops, please contact Jessica Waite at 203-785-8533 ext:3160 or jwaite@aoascc.org. |