Chronic disease SELF-manaGEMENT PROGRAM 

Who should participate?
The Workshop is designed to help people with ongoing health problems manage them more effectively. Anyone with a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, asthma, fibromyalgia, or any other on-going health condition should participate. Caregivers or family members who serve as caregivers are welcomed. Anyone looking to better their everyday lives are encouraged to attend.

What topics are covered in the Workshop?

• Dealing with difficult emotions

• Managing symptoms

• Goal setting

• Problem solving

• Nutrition

• Understanding medications

• Making informed treatment decisions

• Increasing strength and stamina through better fitness

​

Topic specifically covered in CDSMP:

• Actions Plans

• Feedback/Problem Solving

• Getting a good night’s sleep

• Managing Difficult Emotions

• Injury and Fall Prevention

• Physical Activity/Exercise

• Nutrition & Food Labels

• Weight Management

• Mind-Body Connection

• Informed Treatment Decisions

• Self-Advocacy in the Health Care System

​

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
(CPSMP) Topics:

• Pacing and Planning

• Moving Easy Program

• Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep

• Importance of good nutrition in pain management

• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance

• Appropriate use of medications and how to evaluate new treatment

​

Disease Self-Management Program (DSMP) Topics:

• Dealing with symptoms of diabetes such as fatigue pain, hyper/hypoglycemia, emotional difficulties such as depression, anger, fear, frustration, isolation, poor sleep and living in uncertainty

• Foot Care

• Avoiding health complications

• Appropriate use of medications

• Appropriate exercise for regaining and maintaining flexibility, and endurance

• Making decisions about treatment and complementary therapies

• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals

• Nutrition

• Setting priorities

• Relationships

​

Where are the workshops held?
Workshops are held in community settings such as churches, senior centers and libraries.  Class size is typically around 12-18 participants.

Benefits of the Workshop:
The workshop was developed by Dr. Kate Lorig at Stanford University through the Stanford Patient Education Center, now known as the Self-Management Resource Center. The workshops are evidenced-based, meaning they are proven to show positive outcomes. Workshop participants demonstrate significant improvements in the areas covered. They also report fewer hospitalizations, outpatient visits and overall lower medical costs.

How much does it cost to attend a workshop?
Workshops offered through AARTH are free to the public. 

How can my facility offer the Healthy Living Workshops?
Your facility can become a host site for the Workshop as well as a source of advertising and referrals. Employees and/or volunteers can also train to become leaders to facilitate workshops at your site. Leaders’ trainings are 4 days. Each trainee receives a detailed leader’s manual, a copy of the textbook Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, and a leader’s implementation resource manual.