Learn Proactive Approaches to Chronic Disease Self-management
When it comes to chronic disease and individuals 65 and older, the statistics are alarming:
  • 85% have at least one chronic disease
  • 25% have four or more conditions
  • 75% of national health care expenditures are associated with chronic diseases
Chronic disease self-management is a workshop given 2½ hours, once a week, for six weeks. People with a variety of chronic disease ailments attend these classes. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders—at least one of these individuals also has a chronic disease.

Topics covered:
  • Coping techniques
  • Exercise
  • Appropriate use of medications
  • Communicating with family and health professionals
  • Nutrition
  • Evaluating new treatments
Outcomes
Individuals who participated in the program, compared with individuals who didn’t, demonstrated significant improvements in the following areas:
  • Physical activity (exercise)
  • Cognitive symptom management
  • Communication with physicians
  • Better overall health with fewer days spent in a hospital
Data also revealed a cost to savings ratio of approximately 1:10—with the effects of the training persisting among participants for up to three years.

Contact Care Connection to learn more about Chronic Disease Self-management classes, or to volunteer as a coach.