Program helps residents live well with chronic disease
September 21, 2011
Six-week series of free AHS workshops runs Wednesdays starting Oct.5
PROVOST – Local residents living with chronic diseases can learn how to take control of their health and feel better by attending free, self-management education workshops being presented this fall by Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Better Choices, Better Health, formerly known as Paddle Your Own Canoe, is a six-week series of workshops designed to support people living with ongoing health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, chronic pain and obesity.
Sharing information and best practices to prevent and manage chronic diseases is among the goals outlined in the 5-Year Health Action Plan, jointly developed by the Government of Alberta and AHS, and supported by the province’s stable, 5-year funding.
Better Choices, Better Health sessions are led by AHS staff and/or trained volunteers, many of whom live with a chronic disease. This approach ensures an understanding of the challenges participants face and provides a supportive and welcoming environment.
Family members and caregivers are also welcome to attend.
The workshops will address such topics as:
- How to handle pain and fatigue.
- Medication management.
- Dealing with difficult emotions.
- Healthy eating and activity.
- Problem solving and goal setting.
- Communicating with health care providers.
Better Choices, Better Health workshop sessions will be held in Provost every Wednesday from October 5 to November 9. Sessions will be held at the Provost Health Centre in the Dr. Hnatiuk Dayroom from 1:30 to 4 p.m. For more information, or to register, please call 1-877-314-6997.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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