Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions

Chronic illnesses such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, depression, heart disease, diabetes and more can present an array of challenges including treating the condition, managing pain, tracking medications and appointments, and adjusting routines and behaviors. MU Extension offers the following programs to empower individuals and caregivers to face these challenges and manage a healthy life with chronic conditions.

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  Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)

  An evidence-based 6-week class for individuals living with a chronic health condition and their caregivers. Participants make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help each other solve problems they encounter in creating and carrying out their self-management program. This class is designed to address the complex array of health issues and self-management behaviors that cut across different chronic illnesses such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, depression, heart disease, diabetes and more. Topics covered include:

  • Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
  • Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance
  • Appropriate use of medications
  • Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals
  • Nutrition
  • Decision making
  • How to evaluate new treatments
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  Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP)

  An evidence-based 6-week class for individuals living with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers designed to help you better manage your diabetes by learning important self-management skills and techniques. Participants make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help each other solve problems they encounter in creating and carrying out their self-management plan. Topics covered include:

  • Making healthy food choices and planning menus
  • How to increase physical activity and exercise safely
  • Preventing or delaying diabetes complications
  • Communicating effectively with your health team
  • Developing action plans and setting goals to improve your health and well-being
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  Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP)

  An evidence-based 6-week class for individuals living with chronic pain and their caregivers. Participants make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help each other solve problems they encounter in creating and carrying out their self-management plan. Topics covered include:

  • Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep
  • Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance
  • Appropriate use of medications
  • Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals
  • Nutrition
  • Pacing activity and rest
  • How to evaluate new treatments
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  Workplace Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (wCDSMP)

  An evidence-based 6-week class for individuals living with a chronic health condition and their caregivers. This program is an adaptation of the 6-week Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. It contains similar content, but is rearranged into 12, one-hour segments for the workplace. Topics covered include:

  • Techniques to help balance work and home life
  • Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
  • Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance
  • Appropriate use of medications
  • Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals
  • Nutrition
  • Decision making
  • How to evaluate new treatments
  • And more
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  Tomando Control de su Salud (Spanish Chronic Disease Self-Management)

  This is the Spanish version of the Chronic Disease Self-Management program. All workshops are led by 2 trained Spanish-speaking leaders, one or both of whom have a chronic condition themselves.