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Workshops teach ways to live with chronic ails

Livingston County News - 3/15/2018

One out of every two adults in the U.S. has at least one chronic disease.

A chronic disease, as defined by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, is one lasting three months or more. Generally, chronic diseases cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear.

Chronic diseases and conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity and arthritis are among the most common and costly of all health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic diseases are responsible for seven of 10 deaths each year, and treating people with chronic diseases accounts for 86 percent of our nation's health care costs.

There are, however, other costs to consider besides dollars and cents. Chronic diseases can take a toll on people's lives - the pain, the limitation and the poor emotional health all compromise the quality of daily life. In addition, caregivers of those with chronic disease struggle with burnout and poor health.

During the last 20 years, several programs have been developed to meet the needs of both populations - the patients and those who care for them. These educational workshops are evidence-based meaning they incorporate the best available research evidence, clinical expertise and client preferences and values. Classes are designed to address the everyday issues of those dealing with chronic disease and offer tools and techniques for self-management. These self-management education programs have been proven to significantly help people with chronic diseases.

Living Healthy NY is a Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program that helps participants learn self-management skills needed to help deal with the symptoms of their chronic condition and the life role changes and emotions experienced when living with a chronic condition. The emphasis of the workshop's curriculum is to help people manage common problems such as fatigue; communicate with friends, family, and providers; deal with anger and depression; and design and maintain a healthy eating and exercise plan.

Participants also learn disease-related decision-making and problem-solving skills. These tools help participants reduce pain, depression, fear, and frustration; improve mobility and exercise; increase energy; and boost confidence in their ability to manage their condition.

The most important outcome is that people become more confident and are able to maintain lives that are more active.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is another evidence based six-week program, which focuses on the needs of caregivers. It is for family and friends who are caring for older adults suffering with long-term chronic conditions. The class provides caregivers the skills and confidence needed to take better care of themselves, while caring for others. Caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate their needs to family members and healthcare providers, communicate more effectively in challenging situations, deal with difficult emotions, and make tough caregiving decisions.

UR Medicine

Noyes Health offers these workshops free of charge to the public.

The 2.5- hour classes meet once a week for six weeks and are taught by trained, certified instructors. Spring workshops will start in April in Geneseo. For more information or to register, call (585) 335-4358 or email livinghealthy@noyeshealth.org.

This article was written by Christa Barrows, Living Healthy NY coordinator at UR Medicine

Noyes Health, Dansville, and Lorraine Wichtowski, a community health educator at UR Medicine

Noyes Health.