Michigans Great Southwest
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Area Agency on Aging hosts “PATH” workshops in southwest Michigan!!  

PATH, which stands for Personal Action Toward Health, is a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program that was developed and tested by Stanford University to help people learn techniques and strategies for day to day management of chronic or long term health conditions.  Basically, having a chronic illness is not a choice, but how you deal with it can be, and that is what PATH is all about.

For example, we go over techniques to manage difficult emotions, fatigue & pain.  We work on goal setting and effective problem-solving, and offer simple ideas for exercise and better nutrition.  We talk about how to use your mind to manage symptoms, work on better communication skills, and relaxation & stress management techniques.

The workshop itself is 6 classes that meet for 2-½ hours one time each week.  Anyone with an ongoing health problem—for example, arthritis, heart disease, chronic pain, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, etc.—can participate and also their family or caregivers. 

Classes are fun and interactive.  We don’t just sit up there and lecture.  There are discussions, brainstorming sessions, and small group activities.  If you choose, you can share your successes and provide mutual support to each other.     Each six-week workshop is conducted by two trained Leaders,  one or both of whom have an ongoing health condition themselves, or they may be a caregiver for someone with a chronic illness.  And the great thing about all of this is that research has shown that people who participate in PATH are better able to manage their symptoms and communicate more easily with their doctors & families.  Also, they are less limited by their illness and spend less time at the doctors or in the hospital.  They just feel better.

An evening class is scheduled to begin May 21st in St. Joseph, CLICK HERE  for more information. More classes are being planned, so call Julie at (269) 982-7759 or Toll Free at (800) 442-2803, Ext. 7759, at the Region IV Area Agency on Aging to let her know you would be interested and what location, days and times might be best for you- also if you are interested in becoming a volunteer Leader.  There is no cost for the PATH workshops, although donations are gratefully accepted.  You may keep the book for a fee of $18.95.

To read the recent article about PATH in the Health Monthly magazine from the Herald-Palladium newspaper, CLICK HERE, and to view the second part of the article from one of our volunteer Leader's point of view, CLICK HERE. 

Take the PATH to better health!!