Help Seniors Help Themselves Volunteer Training

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Training dates are October 22, 23, 29, 30, and 31.

Volunteers are certified to deliver the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self Management Program to seniors in their own community.


Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)
Overview

Background
* Developed at the Stanford University Patient Education Research Center as a collaborative
research study between Stanford and the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
* Results of the five-year study showed that people who took the program, as opposed to people
who did not take the program, improved their healthful behaviors and decreased their days in the
hospital
* The program is a six-week program, 2.5 hours per week
* Group size is a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 18
Healthful Behaviors Addressed by the CDSMP
* Exercise
* Nutrition
* Cognitive symptom management
* Coping skills
* Communication with physicians
* Stress management/relaxation

CDSMP Evidence-Based Assumptions
* People with chronic conditions have similar concerns and problems
* People with chronic conditions must deal not only with the disease, but also with the
impact it has on their lives and emotions
* Lay people with chronic conditions, when given a detailed leader’s manual, make the most
effective instructors
* The process of the program is as important, if not more important, than the subject matter that
is taught, i.e. creation and implementation of action
plans


Chronic Disease Self Management Program North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging
Participant Curriculum for the Six-Week Session

* Identifying Common Problems
* Differences between Acute and Chronic Illnesses
* Using Your Mind to Manage Symptoms
* Making an Action Plan
* Dealing with Difficult Emotions
* Intro to Physical Activity and Exercise
* Problem Solving
* Better Breathing
* Pain and Fatigue Management
* Endurance Activities
* Future Plans for Health Care
* Healthy Eating
* Communications Skills
* Medication Usage
* Making Informed Treatment Decisions
* Depression Management
* Positive Thinking
* Guided Imagery
* Working with Your Health Care Professional
* Looking Back and Planning for the Future