Program Purpose
"Taking Charge" offers people who experience the challenges of living with one or more chronic health conditions information to develop confidence, skills, and knowledge to more effectively manage their condition(s) and regain control of their lives.
Primary Premises
1. Chronic health conditions affect people of all ages. Statistics indicate people over 60 years of age have on average 2.2 chronic diseases. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005.)
2. Patients experience their chronic condition(s) 24/7, have the greatest vested interest in their own care, and have the ultimate authority to make treatment decisions. They are their own primary health care manager. Therefore, it only makes sense to educate patients regarding how to manage their condition(s) effectively.
3. The basic consequences of chronic diseases are similar; therefore, the skills one must learn to successfully manage the conditions are similar.
Program Development
"Taking Charge" is an evidence-based program offered through the Sanford Center for Aging. The program, also known as the Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP), is an internationally recognized chronic disease self-management program developed by Stanford University’s Patient Education Research Center. Taking Charge does not conflict with existing programs or medical treatment. The program is especially helpful for those trying to coordinate treatment for more than one chronic condition.
Program Format
The program is normally scheduled for six sessions - two and a half hours per week for six-weeks. Classes are highly participative, taught by trained and certified facilitators, and build upon the successful outcomes of each individual.
Topics
Week 1: Introduction, overview, managing symptoms, pre-program data collection
Week 2: Problem solving, difficult emotions, fitness & exercise
Week 3: Pain and fatigue
Week 4: Nutrition, health care, communication
Week 5: Medications, making treatment decisions, depression
Week 6: Working with health care professionals, future plans
How can I get involved?
- Host a workshop series.
- Refer patients to a locally offered "Taking Charge" program.
- Offer to have staff trained as workshop leaders.
- Attend a workshop as a participant.
- Enroll in the leader certification program: The workshops are taught by a two-person team. Usually a lay leader who has a chronic condition themselves is partnered with another local instructor. Leader training is a program held over four days.
How to participate
Workshops: Anyone with a chronic condition or anyone who lives with a person with a chronic condition can participate in the workshops. Please check back soon to view upcoming workshops.
Leader Training: Anyone with an interest in teaching others to manage their conditions can participate in the leader training. This four-day training will give participants the skills to lead workshops.
For cost and other information, call (775) 784-4774 or email.
Sponsors
This program is made possible by the Sanford Center for Aging.
Faculty and staff
Susan G. Harris, M.S., M.A.
Project Director,
Nevada Care Connection
LuAnne Steininger, B.S.
Wellness Coordinator
Rori Lee, M.S.
Research Assistant