Better Choices, Better Health Workshops Energize People with Ongoing Health Conditions

8/23/10

Memorial Hospital will be offering its “Better Choices, Better Health” (formerly known as “Living Well”) workshop starting Sept. 15th. This six week program focuses on rebuilding self-confidence and learning to manage the challenges that often accompany long term health conditions.

Initially developed at Stanford University, the Workshop has been offered at hundreds of locations throughout the United States. It helps participants with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease, chronic pain, and others, to: find better ways of dealing with: pain and fatigue; discover easy exercises to help improve or maintain strength and energy; learn the appropriate use of medications; improve nutrition; talk effectively with family, friends and health professionals; understand new treatment choices; and generally feel better about life. Spouses, partners and caregivers also benefit from the workshop by gaining a better understanding of how everyone’s life is impacted by a long term health condition. Past workshop participants report that they have gained in self-confidence, feel more in control of their lives, and have become more physically active.

Taught by specially trained leaders, some who have health conditions themselves, the program covers a new topic each week and provides opportunities for interaction and group problem solving. “We are really more like coaches,” says Joan Lanoie, one of several workshop leaders at Memorial Hospital. “The answer to someone’s question is usually in the room”.

The next Better Choices, Better Health Workshop begins September 15, 2010 and will take place every Wednesday from 9:30 am to noon in the Sun Room for six weeks.

For more information or to enroll in the Better Choices, Better Health workshop, call Memorial Hospital at 603-356-5461, ext. 291. Class size is limited.




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