LAS CRUCES – When you are diagnosed with a chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease or arthritis, the news can leave you more questions than answers about how to manage the disease and still live an active and full life.
Christopher Lucero, program manager of the New Mexico Department of Health’s Arthritis Program, said the most important thing people can do to manage their disease is to learn about ways you can manage the disease and to not look at it as a barrier to living a healthy life.
“While there may not be a ‘cure’ for many of these diseases, healing can come in the way of being active and staying up-to-date on all the things you and your family can do to not let these diseases control your life,” Lucero said.
The Department of Health’s Arthritis Program has launched a new series of community-based workshops in five counties to help people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma and heart disease. The workshops are free and open to the public.
The Department of Health is now offering the Manage Your Chronic Disease program in Bernalillo, Doña Ana, Sierra, Curry and Chaves Counties. The MyCD program was developed by Stanford University and brings people with chronic diseases, family members and caregivers together in a community setting to learn healthier ways to live, gain confidence and motivation to manage their health and feel more positive about life.
“We are excited to bring this successful program to New Mexico,” Lucero said. “Our seniors want to be armed with tools they can use to live a better life and this program provides them with those life-skills.”
The MyCD workshops are highly interactive and provide the tools needed to manage symptoms, work with health care professionals, set weekly goals for behavior change, problem-solve, use relaxation techniques, handle difficult emotions, eat well and exercise safely and easily. The workshop is designed to support and enhance people’s knowledge about their diseases. People interested in attending a workshop in 2011 or to learning more about the program can call the Arthritis Program at (505) 841-5819. For more information on the MyCD Program go online to www.arthritisnm.org. Several organizations partner with the Department of Health Arthritis Program to help older adults maintain active, fulfilling lives including the New Mexico Aging and Long Term Service Department, the Southern Area Health Education Center at with New Mexico State University, Montañas del Norte Area Health Education Center at Luna Community College and the City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs.
Funding for the MyCD workshops is part of a $252,583 stimulus grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Chris J. Minnick writes for the New Mexico Department of Health. He can be reached at christopher.minnick@state.nm.us.
Website: www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-health/ci_17195316