What is the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)?
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a six-week workshop that helps people with chronic disease to better manage their symptoms and improve the quality of their daily lives. The workshop provides information and teaches practical skills. It gives people the confidence and motivation they need to manage the challenges of living with chronic disease..

How is this program delivered virtually? 

Offered virtually, registered participants can join from their homes via web. This program will be delivered via Zoom Meeting.

Who can attend?
Adults over the age of 18 experiencing:
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Multiple Sclerosis
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Mental Health Condition

What technology/equipment do I need to attend this program? 
To join this program, participants will require access to:

• an electronic device (computer, smartphone or tablet)
  • a stable internet connection

Registered participants will receive an orientation session to join the virtual platform prior to the workshop start.

What does it cost to attend?
It is FREE to participants. Participants receive for free the Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Condition course book and the Relaxation of Mind & Body CD. Participants must pre-register for the program and are encouraged to attend all six sessions.

What happens in the program?
Workshop groups meet virtually once a week for 2.5 hours, over six weeks. There are 8-10 participants in each workshop. In the workshop, you will learn how to:
• use appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance
• falls prevention
• healthy eating
• better breathing techniques
• appropriate use of medications
• working effectively with health care providers
• communicating with friends and family
• communicating with the health care system.

Participants take an active role in the workshop. They set individual goals each week and work to accomplish their goals throughout the following week. Participants are asked to share their goals and progress with the group.

Who leads the program?
The program is led by two trained peer leaders who also live with chronic health conditions. The two peer leaders have taken the Chronic Disease Self-Management program leader’s training.  They were trained by Self-Management Resource centre certified Master Trainer to be able to deliver the programs.

Who developed the program?

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a licensed program that was developed at Stanford University by their Patient Education Research group through applied research.  It follows a standardized format that has been proven to help people learn to better manage symptoms.  It is considered to be a best practice program in chronic disease self-management.

How do I get involved?
Please review the list of ongoing workshops on our home page or contact us.