Living Well With Chronic Conditions Program Starts April 5

The Living Well with Chronic Conditions program will be conducted once a week for six weeks beginning April 5 at 12 noon at the Cannon County Senior Center in Woodbury. This program is intended for individuals with a chronic condition, caregivers and their family members.  Each session is two hours in length.  Space is limited to twelve participants.  Call the Senior Center at 563-5304 to register today.

There is no registration fee.  As it is funded through UT Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences secured grants.  This includes the cost of the program, materials and the book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, a $15.00 value.

Developed by Stanford University, this evidence-based program teaches practical skills on managing chronic diseases (incurable health conditions) such as arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung diseases and stroke. The program focuses on problems common to individuals suffering from these chronic conditions.

Participants learn about their chronic condition(s) and are taught relaxation techniques; nutrition and exercise skills; pain, sleep, depression and fatigue management; correct medication use; and how to better communicate with their health care providers. Through this interactive program, participants gain confidence in their ability to cope with their health condition and become motivated to make lifestyle changes, adhere to prescribed medical treatments and become informed patients.

Chronic diseases are among the most prevalent, costly and preventable of all health problems in Tennessee. At least 80% of adults over age 50 are living with at least one chronic condition, and 50% of them have at least two conditions. Arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes are among the most prevalent of the chronic illnesses that affect older people and impair their quality of life.