Copley Educators Present Chronic Care Class

Contact Peter Wright, 888-8301

03/13/2006


For Immediate Release

As Copley’s Diabetes Education Team kicks off a successful diabetes class this week the team will also be offering a Chronic Care class starting next week.  Facilitators Loretta Schneider, RN and Nancy Wagner, RD, are pleased to offer this four-week class beginning Thursday, March 23rd.  “Chronic Care is a condition that you just don’t get over,” states Schneider.  Examples of chronic conditions include: diabetes, heart disease, breathing problems, arthritis, chronic pain, cancer, depression, etc.    “These conditions may require you to take medication or to monitor daily.”
 
Although health conditions can affect how a person lives, including those around them, i.e. family and friends, people are fully able to address issues of chronic illness by learning more about self-care.  For instance Schneider explained that the benefits of exercise are very important to your health.  “Exercise can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, keeps blood sugars under better control, help in losing or maintaining a suggested weight and can provide an avenue for stress reduction.”  Schneider explained that exercise should be done every day.
 
Another important piece to the chronic care puzzle is monitoring signs and symptoms of your disease.  Do you keep on hand a list of all your medications?  Today, thanks to healthcare providers, people are keeping an up to-date written record of their medications.  That list should also indicate allergies, medical problems and triggers.  This information can help your healthcare provider in determining your care.
 
Every chronic disease has something that must be monitored on a regular basis.  For instance, people with kidney failure must go the same days of the week for dialysis or people with diabetes must monitor their blood sugars.  “Each person is unique and so to is their treatment,” continued Schneider. 
 
Chronic Care classes are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Copley Terrace beginning March 23rd and will continue through April 13th.  Schneider noted that registration is required by calling 802-888-8226.

 
For more information on this class or future Chronic Care or Diabetic Education class provided by the hospital Diabetes Education team call the Outreach Office at 888-8369. 


Contact Information
Peter Wright
Director Planning & Marketing
Copley Health Systems
802-888-8301
pwright@chsi.org