Lauren Murphy and Dottie Slack, My Life, My Health leaders (standing) speak to program attendees during a class held at the Brockton Council on Aging.
Arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and asthma are illnesses and chronic conditions that can impact seniors’ ability to function and remain independent in the community.
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is helping seniors and others dealing with chronic diseases take charge of their own health through My Life, My Health, a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP).
My Life, My Health is one of the CDSMPs developed at the Stanford University Patient Education Research Center. OCES is licensed by Stanford University to present both the English and Spanish versions of the program. We are collaborating with the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center to conduct the Spanish version of this program.
“Empowering participants to improve self-care and doctor-patient interaction”
The program is designed to give people with chronic conditions and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their health care.
Each program runs for six consecutive weeks.
My Life, My Health CDSMP teaches individuals:
- How to deal with issues such as frustration, pain, isolation and fatigue.
- How to exercise to improve strength and endurance.
- How to improve nutrition by healthier eating.
- How to set goals and speak effectively with doctors or other health care professionals.
- How to use medications properly.
OCES thanks the Greater Brockton Community Health Network Area (CHNA22) – for their grant which provided funding assistance to help initiate these programs. Visit our website often to see when and where our next series of My Life, My Health programs will be running.