Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Better Health Class Offered


Grinnell Regional Medical Center will offer the “Better Choices, Better Health” workshop in January. This six-week program provides individuals who have chronic conditions, as well as their caregivers, the tools to manage their health and symptoms better.

The program developed by Stanford University focuses on ways to improve self-management of chronic diseases. Examples of chronic conditions include arthritis, breathing problems or lung disease, stroke, depression or anxiety, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, chronic pain, and cancer.

The class meets weekly, for six weeks, beginning Monday, January 7, 2013. Each session is two and a half hours. Over the course of these workshops, individuals will learn techniques and practical methods to deal with pain, fatigue, and isolation; decision-making skills; exercise options and established action plans and goals for physical activity; better nutrition planning and eating choices for better health; communication techniques to begin conversations with physicians and family members about health concerns; tools to manage medications and symptoms; and self-management skills to lead a more productive life.

The class is taught by peer leaders who guide participants as they create their own action plans for improved health. The $20 fee covers the cost of the book and materials. Scholarships are available. For information and to register, call the Grinnell Regional Wellness and Fitness Center at 641-236-2999. 

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