We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Mark Weber, with the Blaine County Public Health Department, spoke to the local Cancer Support Group last week about a new short course called "Living Life Well." The six week, one meeting per week class, is aimed at helping people effectively self-manage their chronic condition. There is no charge for the class. Weber can be reached at 357-2345 to learn how to join an existing class or schedule a class for your group.
Mark Weber, Program Assistant with the Blaine County Public Health Department, spoke at this month's Cancer Support Group presentation held at the senior center in Chinook. Weber explained a new course being offered by the health department that is designed to help people dealing with a chronic medical condition to live a more enjoyable and healthy life. The course and materials is provided at no cost to participants and is supported by a multi-county contract that the Blaine County Public Health Department manages. Weber said the course has been offered about six times, already, to local groups.
Stanford University studies were basis for the program
Several years ago medical professionals and researchers recognized that patients dealing with chronic conditions had special needs that were often not being met. A chronic medical condition is one that is long-term, usually comes on slowly and may be both difficult to diagnose and treat effectively. The long term suffering associated with a chronic condition often causes additional physical, mental and emotional problems for the victim. Examples of chronic conditions might include heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, depression, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema or other debilitating diseases and conditions.
Researchers at Stanford studied how patients with chronic conditions were dealing with their problems. Out of that research they developed a manual titled "Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions." The manual is the basis for the course currently being offered by the local health department. Follow up research with people who took the course showed some marked improvement in ability to self-manage their chronic condition. The book has sold more than one million copies and is now in its fourth edition as new results are included.
Mark Weber, Amber Huestis and Deb Anderson, all with the local county department, are certified to teach the class. Basically the class meets for six weeks, with a weekly meeting of about one hour. Weber said, "We try to keep the sessions to about one hour. The course encourages discussion among the participants and we find students in the class get ideas for dealing with medical issues from the experiences of others." The book, which is part of the class, has a lot of information and self-analysis exercises to help people determine what might work best for them and their condition.
"Most of this is not new information," Weber said, "but it's packaged in a way that is useful to people who have a chronic condition that might limit them in some way. We know exercise is good for us but if you have chronic back pain you can't jog or run marathons. Our course will help you find ways to exercise that benefits you but doesn't aggravate your back pain." One former student liked the fact, "The course starts with baby steps. You learn activities you can do that ease you in to a routine of healthy eating or regular exercise." Weber said, "We give you simple ways to make the right choices, whether it's nutrition, exercise or the best way to communicate your concerns to your medical provider."
Join a Living Well Class or request a class for your group
Weber said the public health department is looking for groups that would like to schedule a Living Well Class or individuals seeking a class. A class was recently concluded at the Grande Villa for seniors and a new Living Well Class, in conjunction with the local Alzheimer's Support Group, started March 22 at the Grande Villa. "We encourage people to try the class," he added, "and after a session or two you find it's not what you need, there's no commitment required. The course is designed so that people can drop in for just a few sessions." The class at the Villa will meet for six weeks at 1:30pm on Thursdays.
The class is for anyone, any age group, that is looking for better ways to self-manage a chronic condition. Weber said, "We taught a class for parents with young kids. They saw a need to better manage their own conditions in order to have the patience and energy they need to raise a family." Chronic conditions don't affect just seniors, even young children may need help dealing with an ongoing disease or condition.
To join a Living Well Class or to learn how to schedule a class for your group, call the Blaine County Health Department at 357-2345. The local department can also assist with setting up classes in Hill and Phillips Counties.
