Live WellTM with Chronic Conditions

LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE WITH
CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Do you have a chronic health condition? Are you looking for ways to cope with these conditions? Then the program called Live WellTM with Chronic Conditions may be for you!

This program provides practical suggestions and support which builds confidence in coping with the everyday challenges of a chronic condition. The class is facilitated by two trained leaders from the community to groups of 10-12 people once a week for 2.5 hours for 6 consecutive weeks.

The classes are fun as well as practical and the emphasis is on building skills for managing your health and maintaining an active and fulfilling life. There is no cost to the program and the program is being offered at various community in Sun Country Health Region. Call for a list of dates and locations where the program is being offered at 842-8711.

Frequently Asked Questions About
Live WellTM with Chronic Conditions (LWCC)

1. What is LWCC?

Live WellTM with Chronic Conditions is a peer-led patient education program. It is facilitated by pairs of trained volunteers from the community to groups of 12 - 16 people, once a week for 2.5 hours for 6 consecutive weeks. Course participants are persons who are experiencing any type of chronic health condition and their support people or caregivers. Although different chronic illnesses (such as diabetes, arthritis, lung disease, heart disease, high blood pressure) may have different physical impacts on a persons' body, they often cause similar problems related to activities of daily living, interactions with the health care system, communication with family, friends and caregivers, and dealing with negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and depression.

2. History - Is this a new program?

LWCC was adapted from The Stanford Chronic Disease Management Program - a program delivered in a workshop where people with different chronic conditions attend together and learn the skills needed to manage their illness and increase life's activities. Saskatoon adopted this program in 2002 and changed the name to LWCC in 2006. Saskatchewan Health Primary Health Care branch together with Saskatoon Health Region is assisting the health regions in the implementation of this program out to each region.

3. What is Self Management Support?

Self management support is the systematic provision of education and supportive interventions by trained leaders to increase patients' skills and confidence in managing their health problems.

4. Why Chronic Condition Self Management?

Canadians are living longer but they may not be enjoying it more! Learning to live fully despite the drawbacks of chronic illness may well be the most important development challenge for the next many years. The Canadian population is aging, with the ‘baby boomers' nearing the elderly age group. Population projections suggest that by 2031 the 65+ age groups will reach between 18-26% of the population - meaning that almost one in every four people in Canada will be a senior. While Canadians live longer, they are also affected by, on average, two chronic health conditions. These chronic disorders can have dramatic impact on functional capability. Patients with chronic conditions have similar problems: pain, fatigue, depression, anger, frustration, fear, stress and anxiety in vicious cycles.

5. What can I expect as a participant?

The LWCC program discusses how to develop an exercise program, cognitive symptom management, nutrition management, breathing exercises and problem solving. The sessions are highly interactive, with emphasis on strategies to help individuals manage more effectively. The program includes skills mastery (accomplished through weekly contracting to do specific behaviors and through feedback), modeling (accomplished by peer leaders with chronic conditions), and uses frequent group problem-solving sessions. It is a process of a group of people or their caregivers with chronic illness coming together to learn, share and help each other that results in the success of the program.

6. Who teaches the LWCC program?

The program is facilitated by pairs of trained volunteer peer leaders, following a scripted manual. Each leader successfully completes a four-day training workshop where he/she learns to follow the LWCC Leader's Manual. Ideally, peer leaders are individuals that live with a chronic condition, wish to be involved and help others, and have some background in older adult education. They need to be willing to commit to a 4 day training session, run 2 - 6 week sessions per year and be able to register with a volunteer service (criminal record check).

7. What does Healthline do to help?

Healthline will have up-to-date lists about where the programs are to be held. As well, they will provide information on the program such as who the program is for and what the participants can expect to gain from the program.

8. How do I find out about the LWCC program in my area?

Sun Country will offer the program throughout the region. Information about the program will be set up anywhere there may be folks with chronic conditions and their caregivers. Look for the program information in Doctor's offices, local newsletters, church bulletins, seniors' centers, physical therapy departments, diabetes education offices, pharmacies and clinics.

An Antidepressant Skills Workbook is available free from this location: http://www.comh.ca/antidepressant-skills/adult/resources/index-asw.cfm

Sun Country Health Region Contact Information
Phone: (306) 842-8711

Saskatchewan Contact Information
LWCC Program Coordinator - Darla Walz
Email: Darla.walz@saskatoonhealthregion.ca
Phone: (306) 753-2236