Better Choices, Better Health™ Course Puts Disease Self-Management Online
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – St. Louis, MO –Individuals suffering from chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, bronchitis, or emphysema, now have a new resource to help them learn how to manage their disease and improve their health.
Better Choices, Better Health™ is an online version of the internationally recognized Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP), developed and tested at the Stanford UniversityPatient Education Center. The online program is being offered at no charge by OASIS, a national education organization dedicated to enriching the lives of adults age 50 and older through health and wellness, education and enrichment programs. The OASIS program is partially funded through grants from Sam’s Club® and the Sam’s Club Giving Program. OASIS is one of four organizations selected by the National Council on Aging to facilitate the program nationwide.
‘This is a wonderful opportunity for any adult 50 or older to interact with their peers confidentially, discuss chronic health conditions, gain greater confidence in disease self-management, and ultimately feel better,” said Marcia Kerz, OASIS President. “Better Choices, Better Health is one more way that OASIS can help improve the health and wellness of older adults.”
The six-week Better Choices, Better Health online workshop covers a broad range of topics, from an overview of self-management and chronic health condition to making an action plan, dealing with emotions, depression or fatigue, exercise and nutrition, managing medication and working with healthcare professionals. Participants in the workshops log on to a dedicated website for two hours each week, reading and interacting via a Learning Center, posting a weekly action plan, participating in problem solving and guided exercises on bulletin boards, and conducting other self-tests and activities. Participants are also encouraged to post chronic disease-related problems on a bulletin board and help other group members with their problems.
The program is designed to help participants gain a sense of control over their health-related functioning through enhanced self-efficacy. Participants create a weekly action plan and try new behaviors such as exercise monitoring. There are structured opportunities for participants to support each other, with problem solving via bulletin boards. Information is provided to help them interpret symptoms, and action plans involving exercise, nutrition and other strategies are created and monitored to keep participants on a path to better health.
A pair of trained peer facilitators moderate each workshop. They facilitate discussions, monitor participation, answer questions, assist program participants with problem solving, and ensure that individuals seeking specific medical advice turn to their health care provider. All workshops are moderated daily.
OASIS also offers a classroom version of the course, Living a Healthy Life, for those without Internet access or who prefer to attend a workshop in person. “Research has shown that the online course is equally effective as in-person programs in helping participants achieve healthier outcomes,” said Kerz. “Those outcomes include reductions in health distress, pain and disability; increased healthy behaviors such as regular aerobic and strength exercises; better communication with physicians; and reductions in physician visits, emergency room visits and days spent in the hospital.”
For more information or to register for either of the OASIS programs, go to www.oasisnet.org/betterchoices, or call 314-892-2933.
About OASIS
OASIS is a national nonprofit organization that promotes successful aging throughlifelong learning, health programs and volunteer engagement. The OASIS vision is to see that adults age 50-plus across the country have opportunities to pursue vibrant, healthy, productive and meaningful lives. Founded in 1982, OASIS serves more than 370,000 adults through partnerships in 39 U.S. cities. CITY is part of a national network that serves a diverse audience through educational centers and community partners. The OASIS Institute is nationally headquartered in St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit www.oasisnet.org.
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