A new six-week course starts in Waterford tomorrow for adults with chronic conditions.
'Living well with a Long Term Health Condition' is aimed at people with diseases like Diabetes, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Stroke, Heart Failure, Arthritis, Crohn's, Colitis, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and Depression.
The programme is also open to their carer's and starts in the Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre at 11.00am on Thursday April 11th.
The initiative is a collaboration between HSE/South East Community Healthcare and the South East Family Resource Centres, the Disability Federation of Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis Ireland, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, Diabetes Ireland, Asthma Society of Ireland, Irish Heart Foundation, COPD Ireland, Irish Society for Colitis and Crohns, Cluain Training and Enterprise Centre and Chronic Pain Ireland.
Participants can self-refer and book a place by ringing Joan or Gillian at the Family Resource Centre on (051) 306728 or online via Eventbrite.
The Programme costs €20.00 which covers the six sessions (one workshop per week) and a course handbook.
Each workshop lasts two and a half hours including a break, where tea and coffee will be provided.
There is a maximum of 18 per group.
Participants will have an opportunity to meet others living with or caring for someone with a long-term health condition in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Friendly and welcoming tutors will create a safe space for learning and sharing experiences.
Kate O'Connor is Self- management Support Co-ordinator for Chronic Conditions for HSE/South East Community Healthcare
"People living with long term health care conditions can experience emotional, physical and psychological challenges.
"These can include pain, fatigue, anxiety, anger, fear of exercising, fear of the future, helplessness, isolation and feeling poorly understood.
"These can be barriers to carrying out the daily tasks required to manage one or more long term health conditions.
"I welcome this programme, which focuses on dealing with these challenges and enables participants to action plan and problem solve."
