Living Well with Chronic Conditions

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You’re not alone. But it might feel that way. Living Well with Chronic Conditions can help.

Maybe it’s arthritis. Or high blood pressure. Or even cancer, depression or COPD. Your doctor told you what to call your condition – but it’s been up to you to figure out how to live with it . . . everyday. Over 80% of older adults in the U.S. have at least one on-going health condition. That’s a lot of people with the same questions you have.

6 weeks. 15 hours. Feel better and do more.

Decades of research – and thousands of people – have found that Living Well lives up to its promise. With the simple skills and the new habits you build, you can take better control of your health – and get back to doing what matters most.  

What is Living Well with Chronic Conditions?

A research and proven program to improve health and well-being for people with long-term (chronic) health conditions. Designed specifically for adult learners, you’ll learn and share with others in a supportive group environment.

Living Well with Chronic Conditions (LW) is an evidence-based workshop for people with on‐going health problems such as arthritis, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and others. It’s offered in both English and Spanish throughout Wisconsin. It meets for 2½ hours, once a week, for six weeks in a community settings.

The workshop provides participants with tools to better navigate life’s “ups and downs” and increase their health knowledge. Research confirms that participants experience significant, measurable health improvements and quality of life. The small group (10-12 people) is highly participative, where mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.

Living Well workshops use an action-based approach. Each week, you try out ideas and skills to find answers that work in your own life. The results? An individualized plan and a new sense of control over your health and your life.
 

Is It For Me?

Understand what you can do to have a positive impact on your health. Meet others facing similar challenges. Feel more in control.
 
Workshops are best for any adult who:

  • Has, or lives with someone who has, one or more chronic condition(s).

This program does not replace existing treatments but serves to complement a participant’s current medical treatment plan.

The Research

Living Well with Chronic Conditions has been researched and proven to:

  • Reduce average Emergency Department (ED) visits by 27% in the first six months following the intervention; and by 21% in first twelve months following the intervention.

  • Reduce the average number of hospitalizations by 22% in first six months post intervention.

Articles and published findings on the chronic disease self-management program

What Participants Say

“By us sharing our experiences and being able to connect participants with health care providers that have helps us in the past. We are always sharing with others and helping get other people involved in these programs because we know it can help them”

Jim Coffman, Vilas County
Learn More About Chronic Conditions

Learn more about Chronic Disease from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Questions? Contact cc@wihealthyaging.org

Interested in becoming a facilitator? Visit our Become a Facilitator page to learn more.

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