Grinnell Regional Medical Center Public Health will
offer the “Better Choices, Better Health” workshop in March. This six-week
program provides individuals who have chronic conditions, as well as their
caregivers, the tools to manage their health and symptoms. This session will be
held on six Mondays, beginning March 2 at the First Friends Church, 115 S. West
St., Grinnell.
“This program provides movement, nutrition and
socialization tips and much more for daily living with a chronic disease or
pain,” says Patty Hinrichs, Grinnell Regional Public Health director. “We have
a lot of fun in the class as people work toward a goal of independent and safe
living.”
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 every Monday, March 2 to April 6. Each
session is two and a half hours, 1:30 to 4 p.m. 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. Financial scholarships are
available. For information and to register call the Grinnell Regional Public
Health office at 641-236-2385.
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