Many adults in our community suffer from chronic health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes, and emphysema or COPD, that limit their activities and quality of life. According to the National Council on Aging, a third of all chronically ill people say they leave a doctor's office or hospital feeling confused about what they should do to continue their care.
El Camino Hospital, recognizing the need to provide ongoing, community-based care for those living with chronic conditions, has partnered with The Health Trust to provide The Road to Healthier Living Chronic Disease Self-Management Program in the Mountain View and Santa Clara Senior Centers. One of the program's main benefits is that people who participate in it make fewer visits to the emergency room and to the hospital.
The Road to Healthier Living Chronic Disease Self Management Program
The Health Trust Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP) is a six-session, peer-taught health education workshop for persons with chronic conditions. The goals of the program are to:
- Help individuals take day-to-day responsibility for their care
- Increase skills necessary for individuals to manage their disease and work effectively with their health care professionals
The Health Trust's Road to Healthier Living program has a strong community focus and receives solid participation from patients who are traditionally underserved in the health care system. Participants in these workshops are instructed on how to self-manage their chronic disease and provided with techniques that may improve physical and emotional health and reduce symptoms such as fatigue and pain, and reduce need for hospitalization. This program is based on the highly effective nationally acclaimed Stanford model of the CDSMP.
El Camino Hospital also offers several support groups focused on specific health conditions to support individuals and their families and help them optimize their quality of life.
Resources
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
American Parkinson's Disease Association
Arthritis Foundation
National Institute of Health