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“PATH” offers solutions for persons with chronic illness

According to The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “eighty percent of older adults have at least one chronic condition and 50% at least two,” and “95% of health care spending is spent on helping people manage chronic health conditions.” Lifestyle changes like exercising, managing stress, and eating better help fight troubling symptoms of chronic disease, yet today’s clinicians are strapped for time so cannot provide all the education, motivation and support their patients need to successfully makelong-term lifestyle changes.

“This is where PATH, the Personal Action Toward Health Workshop, steps in with patient education and support,” says PATH Master Trainer and Wellness Counselor Bobbe Taber of the PortageSeniorCenter. “We hold workshops that help people make small changes during the six-week workshop--changes they choose. After completing the six weeks, participants say they feel more confident, are better managing their health and they feel better,” says Taber.

A Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) Workshop which will take place (add day, dates, times, location name and address.) The PATH workshop, also known as The Stanford University Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP), has been proven to help people enjoy better health. CDSMP Researcher and Developer Dr. Kate Lorig, RN, DrPhD of Stanford University found that after participants finished the workshops, they reported less disability as well as less fatigue, less shortness of breath, less depression and less social and role limitations. Meanwhile, many spent fewer days in the hospital and emergency rooms. They also had significant improvements in exercise, cognitive symptom management and their ability to communicate with their physicians.

During the workshop, participants learn health self-management skills to better manage pain; cope with difficult emotions; manage stress; improve communication with family, friends and healthcare providers; make informed decisions about nutrition and exercise; how to properly use medications; and apply problem-solving to better manage their health--all in a supportive group atmosphere. Weekly action plans increase participant’s motivation and aid them in achieving their goals. Two trained facilitators lead the interactive workshop, and at least one leader has successfully managed their own chronic condition.

“PATH Participants find that while they may not be able to cure their conditions, there is still hope,” says Taber, “because we teach them tools during the workshop that enable them tolive enjoyable, meaningful lives. They truly do feel better.” This research-based program, a six-week health program endorsed by the CDC and the Michigan Office of Aging Services, has recently been recognized by former Acting U.S. Surgeon General Stephen Galson, M.D., MPH, RADM and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius due to its effectiveness and ability to teach patients health self-management skills.

“This is a program that can really change people’s lives,” Taber says, “and we want to make it available to as may Kalamazoo residents over 55+ as possible.”

Participants who want to sign up for PATH can call 329-4555 to register or call Ms. Taber at 329-4551 for more information about the program. Organizations who want to schedule a PATH workshop at their facility or have people interested in becoming PATH leaders can call Bobbe Taber at 329-4551.

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