Living a Healthy Life is a self-management program being offered through the Department of Health and Wellness. Minister Carolyn Bertram announced this week that there are 10 programs scheduled across Prince Edward Island this fall. Living a Healthy Life is a fun and practical program that helps people with ongoing health conditions overcome daily challenges and maintain active and full lives.
“This program is designed to empower people to take control of their health,” said Minister Bertram. “Chronic disease is something that affects many Islanders. Living a Healthy Life is an educational tool and support system to assist individuals in overcoming their daily health challenges.”
Living a Healthy Life is a six-week program with sessions held once a week for 2½ hours. There is a maximum of 18 people per session. It is led by two peer leaders; many also have ongoing health conditions.
The program is open to people with any type of ongoing health condition (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, etc.), their caregivers or loved ones, as well as those looking to make lifestyle changes to help prevent future health problems. Participants learn ways to manage symptoms, make daily tasks easier, get started with healthy eating and exercise, better manage difficult emotions like fear, anger and frustration, and communicate well with family, friends, doctors and other health care providers.
Programs will be held in various community sites across the province; the scheduled programs for the fall include:
• Thursdays beginning September 23 in Hunter River at the Central Queens Family Health Centre, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
• Mondays beginning September 27 in Summerside at the Harbourside Family Health Centre, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
• Mondays beginning September 27 in Montague at the Public Health Boardroom, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday beginning September 29 in Charlottetown at St. Mary’s Presbyterian Church, 1:00-3:30 p.m. (FULL)
• Thursdays beginning October 7 in Souris, 1:30-4:00 p.m. (exact location to be determined )
• Tuesdays beginning October 12 in Montague at the Public Health Boardroom, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays beginning October 13 in O’Leary at the new Community Health Centre, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
• Mondays beginning October 18 in Wellington at d'hébergement le Bel Âge, 1:30-4:00 p.m. (French session)
• Tuesdays beginning October 19 in Charlottetown at the Four Neighbourhoods Community Health Centre, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays beginning October 20 in Summerside at the Summerside Regional Development Corporation Boardroom in the Holman Centre, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
More programs will begin in 2011. The program costs $10 and participants receive a copy of the book: Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions. People can register for the program by calling 1-888-854-7244.