University Physicians-Green Meadows to offer Healthier Living Classes
University Physicians-Green Meadows Family Medicine Clinic will offer a “Healthier Living: Managing Ongoing Health Conditions,” class beginning Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Green Meadows Family Medicine Clinic, 3217 South Providence Road in Columbia.
The six-week class will meet weekly from 10 a.m. to noon in the Green Meadows Family Medicine classroom and focus on helping participants with ongoing health conditions live full and healthier lives. Past participants have benefited from the class while living with conditions like arthritis, heart disease, asthma and bronchitis.
Living with a chronic illness presents many day-to-day challenges. As a multiple sclerosis patient, Shelda Eggers sometimes struggles with her mobility. Strength and balance issues can force Shelda to walk with a cane, and the disease is at times emotionally taxing.
In April, Eggers participated in University Physicians-Green Meadows Family Medicine Clinic’s Health Living class. There she found a common bond with fellow patients struggling with a chronic illness.
“Everyone in the class had very different conditions, but we all had an amazing amount of things in common,” said Eggers.
Nurse partners and practitioners from the University of Missouri’s Department of Family and Community Medicine lead the class. Participants learn to lessen their frustration with their conditions, increase fitness and self-confidence, decrease fatigue, manage both pain and medications, and improve functional abilities in order to live a healthier and more fulfilling life.
“The class taught me to recognize and deal with depression and frustration, which are common with any chronic illness,” said Eggers. “Through an action plan, I was able to set weekly goals and build confidence from the support of my classmates.”
Five months later, Eggers says she is still applying what she learned in the Healthy Living class to her everyday struggles with her disease. She recommends the class to anyone living with a chronic illness.
“If you are dealing with any kind of chronic health issue, the class can be very valuable,” said Eggers. “Even if you think your issue is different, the support from your classmates is very worthwhile.”
“Healthier Living: Managing Ongoing Health Conditions,” is based on the chronic disease self-management program developed by Stanford University. The book, “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, Third Edition,” is used in the class. Participants are encouraged to purchase the book, but some copies will be available on a loan basis.
The class is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions.
If you have questions or would like to register for the class, please contact Michele Walker at (573) 882-9097.
E-mail this page |
| Print this page
