Upcoming Programs Focus on Diabetes, Chronic Disease Self-Management for Individuals, Caregivers

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Senior Services has announced that it will hold free Living Healthy Workshops focusing on Diabetes Self-Management (“DSMP”) and Chronic Disease Self-Management (“CDSMP”) beginning on January 9, 2014. Held weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at various senior centers in Erie County, the six classes in each program continue through April 1, 2014 and are designed to help individuals and/or their caregivers increase the skills necessary to better manage their disease and to confront the many challenges of living with chronic illness.

“Many older adults have at least one chronic health condition, such as hypertension, arthritis, heart or lung disease, or diabetes, and they often struggle with how to cope with their condition,” said Erie County Commissioner of Senior Services Randy Hoak. “These free workshops will give seniors, their caregivers and their families more confidence in their ability to manage their condition, better ability to manage pain and stress, and will teach them other management strategies as well.”

Both the Living Healthy DSM and CDSM programs are evidence-based, interactive health education programs developed by Stanford University, and are facilitated by trained leaders who have a personal understanding about living with a chronic condition. In addition to being better-prepared to manage their condition, participants in Living Healthy programs report increased energy and physical activity, increased participation in activities, less time in the hospital, and improved communication with health care providers.

Schedule for EC Senior Services Healthy Living DSMP and CDSMP Workshops:

• DSMP: Thursdays, January 9 – February 13, 2014 from 12 – 2:30 PM, Monsignor Carr Center, 20 Rich Street, Buffalo NY 14211
  
• DSMP: Tuesdays, February 25 – April 1, 2014 from 1 – 3:30 PM, Orchard Park Senior Center, 70 Linwood Avenue, Orchard Park NY 14127
  
• CDSMP: Tuesdays, January 28 – March 4, 2014 from 12:30 – 3:00 PM, Schiller Park Senior Center, 2057 Genesee Street, Buffalo NY 14211

All participants completing the workshop series will receive a copy of the book Living Healthy with Chronic Conditions, 4th edition and a Relaxation for Mind and Body CD.

To register for this workshop series contact Kelly Asher, Health & Wellness Coordinator at (716) 858-8081 or go to https://www.ceacw.org/find-a-workshop and enter the zip code of the workshop address in the “search workshops” box. 

New workshops and choices are routinely added to the calendar as well. For more information on them or on the Erie County Department of Senior Services, visit http://www2.erie.gov/seniorservices/