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Powell Valley Healthcare is launching a free group healthcare program for people with chronic health conditions or anyone wishing to improve their health. It’s called Healthy U, and PVHC is …
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Powell Valley Healthcare is launching a free group healthcare program for people with chronic health conditions or anyone wishing to improve their health. It’s called Healthy U, and PVHC is holding a presentation on the program on Dec. 18. The classes begin in January.
“It’s to empower people to manage their symptoms in addition to the care they’re receiving,” said Healthy U facilitator Loretta Burris.
The workshops are available to anyone with conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, pain, anxiety or depression. There are six workshops over six weeks, each lasting two hours long.
Participants will get support from other people with chronic health conditions, learn about healthy eating, create an exercise program, understand options for new treatments, learn how to communicate with providers and loved ones, and develop different strategies to deal with pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety and frustration.
Also facilitating the program is Kori Campbell, health information management technician. Burris said they both are very excited about launching the program here in Powell.
“Kori and I are very passionate about helping people with their medical conditions due to our own health journeys, as well as those of our loved ones,” she said.
The program is based on one developed at Stanford University called the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. An initial evaluation of 1,000 program participants with chronic diseases found they spent fewer days in the hospital, with fewer outpatient visits, and therefore, reduced health costs.
Wyoming implemented the program — the last state to do so — in 2015. It’s offered by the Wyoming Center on Aging in partnership with the Wyoming Department of Health.
Burris said people don’t need to bring anything other than an open mind, a desire to create a plan for their health, and a willingness to work with a group of other participants.
“We want people to create a support system,” Burris explained.
Like the workshops, the upcoming presentation is free.
“We call it session zero,” Burris said.
It starts at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 18, in the Powell Valley Hospital Conference Room, and lunch will be served. Those who would like to hear the presentation can register at www.pvhc.org or call 307-754-1104.
