Did you know that cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes cause about two-thirds of all deaths in Ontario? These are all chronic disease that can significantly impact a person’s health and wellbeing, as well as their day-to-day life.
Although chronic diseases are among the most common health problems in today’s society, some chronic diseases can be more easily prevented and are more easily managed. With the right treatment, support, and lifestyle, people diagnosed with a chronic disease can experience changes in their conditions, and improve their health and quality of life. Major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis, share common risk factors. Detecting chronic disease early, and intervening quickly to prevent its progress has the potential to reduce deaths. Physical activity, healthy diet, maintaining good blood pressure and managing stress can reduce the risk or help manage chronic diseases.
We at South Riverdale Community Health Centre (SRCHC) offer Chronic Disease Self-Management Education workshops with our Choose Health Self-Management Program. This evidence-based program helps individuals manage their chronic conditions, improve their quality of life, and lower health risks. The program is facilitated by trained volunteers who are also living with long-term health conditions. Participants meet once a week for 2.5 hours over 6 weeks to learn skills to manage their conditions on day to day basis by setting manageable goals, learning problem-solving skills, starting and maintaining physical activity, managing stress, as well as engaging in relaxation and healthy eating.
We also offer professional development trainings that empower healthcare providers to support clients living with chronic diseases Clinicians will learn communication and rapport-building skills, which can help facilitate conversations about health behaviours with their clients.
To learn more about the Choose Health self-management program, please visit https://selfmanagementtc.ca/