The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a series of workshops, presented once a week, for six weeks, in community settings such as senior centers, churches, libraries and community centers.
Participants include people with different chronic health problems and their care-givers.
Workshops are facilitated by certified trained leaders who are non-health professionals with chronic diseases themselves.
Subjects covered include:
1) Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
2) Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance
3) Appropriate use of medications,
4) Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
5) Nutrition
6) Decision making
7) How to evaluate new treatments.