Practice
Transformation Institute believes in empowering people to take an active role
in self-management of their health. Evidence-based programs such as PATH and A Matter
of Balance workshops are a great way to acquire new skills to help control and
manage conditions, and avoid disabling complications of illness and the aging
process. Classes and peer support allow interaction and learning from one
another in a group environment.
What is PATH? PATH (Personal Action Toward Health)
is Michigan’s name for the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
(CDSMP.) The CDSMP focuses on problems common to people with a variety of
health conditions. There is also a Diabetic Self-Management Program we call
Diabetes PATH for the day-to-day management of diabetes.
These interactive
and enjoyable workshops were developed and tested by Stanford University to
help people learn techniques and strategies to help manage their ongoing health
condition. Two trained leaders conduct six different sessions over a two and a
half hour period. Two of the important items that class participants learn in
both workshops are action planning, based on their goals, and problem solving.
Other sessions
for PATH include:
·
Dealing
with not feeling well
·
Communicating
with health care providers, family members and friends
·
Relaxing
and overcoming stress, fear, pain, frustration and depression
·
Increasing
energy and reducing fatigue
·
Staying
independent
Diabetes
PATH includes the above plus:
·
Avoiding
the complications of diabetes
·
Strategies
for sick days
·
Meal
planning and healthy eating
·
Preventing
low blood sugar
·
Learning
about the importance of good foot care
What is A Matter of Balance? This national recognized program was
developed at Boston University to reduce the fear of falling and increase
activity levels among older adults. Many older adults have an ongoing fear of
falling. This may cause them to limit their activities which, in turn, make
them physically weaker and an even greater fall risk. A Matter of Balance has
small group sessions that meet eight times for two hours and are led by a
trained facilitator.
Participants
learn how to:
·
View
falls as controllable
·
Set
realistic goals to increase activity
·
Make
changes in their home environment to reduce risk
·
Increase
strength and balance with exercise
Anyone who
is concerned about falls, has fallen in the past, has restricted their
activities due to falling concerns or is interested in improving their balance,
flexibility and strength should attend this fun and interactive workshop.
