Waldo County General Hospital's Case Management Program has a new program for individuals living with chronic disease.
The Living Well program is a six-week workshop geared toward individuals living with a long-term health problem such as asthma, arthritis, cancer, COPD, congestive heart failure, diabetes, depression, fibromyalgia, heart disease, obesity and Parkinson's disease as well as their family members and/or caregivers.
The Living Well program was developed by staff at Stanford University and Kaiser Permanente for patients and caregivers with a goal of enhancing management skills using action plans, relaxation techniques and positive thinking. Participants will learn different techniques on how to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation, appropriate exercises, medication use, nutrition and communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals. By applying these techniques, participants will lead a better quality of life, while managing their chronic disease.
Research shows that individuals who completed the program demonstrated significant improvement in making healthy lifestyle choices, health status and decreased the number and length of their hospital stays. Participants also showed significant improvement in exercising, cognitive symptom management and communication skills. In addition, they demonstrated less health distress, fatigue, disability and social/role activities limitations.
Jo-Ann Whiting, RN, BSN, MSB, Case Manager, and Cynthia Swan, M.Ed., L.M.T, both employees of Waldo County General Hospital and two volunteers from Spectrum Generations attended an intensive training to become Living Well Leaders in order to facilitate this program in Waldo County. Whiting and Swan are facilitating the first session Wednesday, May 21 - Wednesday, June 25. A second session, facilitated by the two volunteers from Spectrum Generations, will begin on Wednesday, August 6 - Wednesday, September 10.
Classes will be held on Wednesday afternoons from 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Waldo County General Hospital's Education Center, 118 Northport Avenue in Belfast. The program is free to attend. Waldo County Community Action Program and Coastal Trans provide some free transportation to individuals in both Waldo and Knox counties. Interested participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling Jo-Ann Whiting, Case Manager, at 930-6733. Class size is limited, please call early.
Funding for this free program was made possible through a grant from MaineHealth's Partnership for Healthy Aging and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Elder Services.
"Living Well is a fabulous opportunity for anyone with a chronic health
problem to regain control of their life. Caregivers are also encouraged to
attend." said Whiting.