SOME relief may be in sight for sufferers of chronic disease with the help of a community-based health initiative in the City of Monash.
The MonashLink Community Health Service will be running Take Action Live Well, a group aimed at helping residents who have a long-term chronic condition such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease or arthritis.

The course is based on the Better Health Self Management Course, developed by Stanford University in the United States.

Sarah Tyrrell from MonashLink's early intervention and chronic disease program said the six-week program taught clients how to look after their illness.

"It's about trying to get clients

to take control of their health and learn how to self-manage their condition to improve their quality of life," she said.

Mrs Tyrrell, who is an exercise physiologist, will lead the course with physiotherapist Nick Voulanas.

She said that sufferers of chronic diseases often had a number of symptoms like depression which could feed into things like fatigue.

The program will teach participants how to manage their conditions on a day-to-day basis and will tackle issues like physical activity, emotions, healthy eating and pain-management techniques.

Mrs Tyrrell said that self-management was important because patients may only see their doctor or health worker every couple of weeks.

"But then it's all those other hours of the day when people are not with their healthcare workers that they need to learn how to manage

their condition and find ways that work for them to manage their symptoms."

The course will run over six weeks at the Batesford Hub in Chadstone every Thursday from February 23. Cost: $10. Concession price available. Details: 1300552509.

Source: http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-program-leads-the-way-to-wellness/2428116.aspx