It is estimated that one in two Americans suffer from a chronic condition. Chronic conditions are classified as illnesses that recur or persist for a long period or a person’s entire lifetime.
Sixty percent of adults with chronic conditions are between the ages of 18 and 64. Chronic conditions can include arthritis, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain, anxiety, stroke, pulmonary disease, fibromyalgia, obesity, cancer and more. Family members are often caregivers of these people and are also affected as they care for their loved ones.
For those who have one or more chronic conditions, many which are living with pain, stress or depression, it can be overwhelming dealing with one chronic condition, but how do you manage two or more? Where do you turn for direction and guidance?
The Trousdale County Extension office is presenting “Living Well with Chronic Conditions,†a fun, skill-building program for anyone with chronic conditions, their families or caregivers. The program helps individuals take day-to-day responsibility for the care of their condition and gain necessary skills to self-manage and work effectively with their health care providers.
“Living Well with Chronic Conditions” will be led by Trousdale County UT Extension Agent Christen Newby-Hood for six weeks (six sessions, two hours each session) from Sept. 17 through Oct. 29. The program meets 9-11 a.m. at the Trousdale County AG Pavilion. The program is free but registration is required. To register by the deadline of Sept. 9, contact Newby-Hood by phone, 615-374-2421, or cnewbyho@utk.edu.
Newby-Hood completed training for the program last year and is looking forward to leading the upcoming sessions.
“In speaking with people, more and more people are looking for opportunities to learn more about diabetes education or how to manage chronic conditions in general,†said Newby-Hood. “The extension office is very happy to offer this educational opportunity to the county.â€
She said the program is for everyone.
“There are no age restraints as chronic conditions can affect you at 18 years or age or 95 years of age,†said Newby-Hood. “ ‘Living Well with Chronic Conditions’ help participants to be better at self-managing their condition and knowing how to talk with their health care provider. It’s about taking control of your health and making the best decisions for you.â€
Through the weekly sessions, participants continue to learn through their normal daily activities and to deal with the emotions that arise from having chronic health conditions. Techniques to deal with issues like frustration, fatigue, anger, pain and isolation may be included along with information on appropriate exercise to maintain strength, flexibility and endurance. Healthy eating, effective communication and managing stress and knowing how to relax are also important components of the program.
The workshops are interactive with participants setting goals, discussing them with others and learning new skills to help with their specific conditions. The participants also build a common source of support with others in the group. Through the sessions, participants build confidence around managing their health and staying active. As participants gain confidence in managing their symptoms in their homes and communities, many see better clinical outcomes and life satisfaction.
“We hope to offer additional opportunities in the near future, such as a specific program designed for managing diabetes or other specific chronic conditions,†said Newby-Hood. “Our goal is to provide informative and helpful information for the well-being of our county residents.â€
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