Vim & Vigor - Spring 2009 - (Page 3)

for your health it’s not either/or how to live a healthy life when you have a chronic illness “Nobody wants to have a chronic long-term illness. Unfortunately, most of us will experience two or more of these conditions during our lives.” Source: Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions I If you’re dealing with diabetes, heart disease, COPD or arthritis, odds are you’re also dealing with fatigue, anger, worry and frustration. For as you know all too well, long-term health problems affect every dimension of your life— from ﬁnances to family matters. And chronic conditions don’t go away. “Healthier Living,” a new program from St. Anthony Hospital’s Health Passport, offers a proven way to help you positively manage your illness. It explains the course of various chronic problems, their physical symptoms and emotional impact. And it helps you develop a step-by-step plan and support strategy to maximize your pleasure in life. “This is a program we’ve wanted to offer since founding Health Passport ﬁve years ago,” says director Jane Barnes. “It’s well tested, evidencebased, creates self-conﬁdence—it works.” The six-week course covers the “vicious cycle” symptoms create and how to break it. It also teaches you self-management skills to help you with: • The work of dealing with your illness: changing your diet, taking your medicine, exercising, seeing your doctor • The work of continuing your daily activities: employment, volunteering, chores, social life • The changing emotions brought about by chronic illness: anger, revised expectations and goals, family issues, uncertainty The cost is low—just $30 for the class, CD and book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions. Interested? Call 303-629-4921. get help now go ❋ breaking the cycle Participants work in pairs, which enhances the sense of support as well as personal accountability. For more information on this and a host of other healthrelated courses and activities, visit myhealthpassport.org or call the Health Passport office at 303-629-4921. Health Passport membership is free and benefits are many. vim & vigor · s p ri ng 2009 3 http://www.myhealthpassport.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2009

Vim & Vigor
Contents
CEO Letter
For Your health
The 2.5-Centimeter Surgery
Cracking the Case
Domino Effect
No More Excuses
A Grand Plan
Home, Clean Home
RX for Success
Your Lovely Bones (and Joints)
Freeze, Food!
Employment Assistance
When Memory Fails
Community Connections
EMS Training
Pallitive Care
Award-Winning Care
Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2009