The Martha’s Vineyard Partnership for Health will kick off a free six-week workshop series next month to help people with chronic health conditions, such as chronic pain, depression, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, and high blood pressure. Beginning September 13, sessions will be held weekly on Saturdays from 10 am to 12:30 pm at the Oak Bluffs Library.
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (My Life, My Health) was developed by Stanford University. The program’s goals are to empower people affected by chronic diseases to self-manage their care to help them live a healthier, active, and independent life through lifestyle and behavior changes, according to a press release.
Participants will learn techniques to help them deal with the problems, frustrations, fatigue, pain, and isolation that sometimes accompany a chronic health condition, according to the workshop teachers, Rebecca Kline, a registered nurse, and Doreen Anderson, a certified health coach.
The sessions offer simple tools and interventions to help people better manage their health conditions, reduce the risk of falling, and improve nutrition and physical and mental health.
Participants will learn appropriate exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance. Medication use and skills for communication between family, friends, and medical professionals also are addressed.
Pre-registration is required. Call 508-269-9044 to register by phone, or leave a message to request a registration form by mail or email.
MV Partnership for Health is a chronic disease management program run by Island Health Care and the Vineyard Health Care Access Program. The Partnership is funded by the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Community Health Initiative.
