Do you know what you should do to help manage chronic health challenges, but just can’t seem to do it?
Or have you recently been diagnosed with a chronic condition such as hypertension, heart disease, bronchitis, emphysema, fibromyalgia, etc.?
Taking the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) may be the New Year’s resolution for you for 2011.
This interactive six-week course will help you learn to manage your symptoms, get started with healthy eating and exercise, communicate more effectively with your doctor and the health care team, and how to get more out of life. You will learn new skills to help you manage your condition and problem-solve.
The leaders are trained volunteers, many who have chronic conditions themselves and have successfully adopted the techniques taught in the program. Your spouse, family member or friend is encouraged to attend the program with you. As a participant in the class, they too will benefit from learning about your condition and how it affects you.
People who have attended this program have said, “It gave me a new perspective on my chronic condition and how I may take more control over managing my disease,” and “it motivated me to make major positive lifestyle changes. I have never felt better or more healthy.”
This program is presented by the University of Victoria Centre on Aging, and based on many years of research about techniques that are known to be effective.
It will start Monday, Jan. 17 at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre. Call toll-free 1-866-902-4767 or go online to www.coag.uvic.ca/cdsmp to register. Call soon as classes fill up quickly.
UVic Centre on Aging also offers self-management courses for chronic pain and diabetes.
— CV Nursing Centre