Self-Management Programs For Chronic Health Conditions

Human Resources will is pleased to announce that we are partnering with the University of Victoria to host a series of Self-Management Programs for persons with chronic health conditions. These evidence-based programs provide information, teach practical skills and give people the confidence to manage chronic health conditions. They are considered as best practice in self-management for people living with chronic health conditions.

Beginning February 20, 2013 HR is offering two programs; Chronic Pain Self-Management and Diabetes Self-Management. Workshop groups meet once a week for 2½ hours, over six weeks.

There is no cost to attend and all course materials are free, including the Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions course book.

To register, send a confidential email to wellness@bcit.ca or call 604.432.8333. Please include your name, the name of any family members attending and which program you want to attend.

Chronic Pain Self-Management Program

Who can attend?

Employees, students and their adult family members experiencing:

• Chronic musculoskeletal pain (such as chronic neck, shoulder, back pain, etc.)
• Whiplash injuries
• Chronic regional pain syndromes
• Repetitive strain injury
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Post-surgical pain that lasts beyond 6 months
• Neuropathic pain (often caused by trauma)
• Neuralgias (such as post herpetic pain, and trigeminal neuralgia)
• Post-stroke or central pain
• Persistent headache
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Diabetes and who have neuropathy
• Severe muscular pain due to conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis
• Family, friends and/or caregivers supporting persons with chronic pain

What happens in the workshop?

There are ten to sixteen participants in each workshop. You will learn how to:

• use techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep
• exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance
• use of medications
• communication skills
• healthy eating
• pacing activity and rest
• evaluate new treatments

Participants take an active role in the workshop. You will set individual goals each week and work to accomplish your goals throughout the following week.

Please note - effective January 30, 2013 this session is full. New registrants will be wait listed.

Diabetes Self-Management Program

Who can attend?

Employees, students and their adult family members experiencing type 2 diabetes as well as their family, friends and/or caregivers.

What happens in the workshop?

There are ten to sixteen participants in each workshop. In the workshop, you will learn how to:

• use the skills needed for day-to-day management of diabetes and related symptoms
• prevent low blood glucose
• prevent or delay complications
• plan low fat meals and read nutrition labels
• communicate effectively with your health care team
• manage medications
• stress management
• plan and problem solving

Participants take an active role in the workshop by setting weekly goals and providing feedback on how they managed.