BMH Offers Healthier Living Workshops

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital offers a number of six-week free (for VT residents) Healthier Living Workshops designed to help people with long-term health challenges maintain active and fulfilling lives.

BMH received a grant to serve as a regional provider of the Vermont Department of Health’s Healthier Living Workshops. This provided for trained workshop leaders who facilitate this highly interactive class for people with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, fibromyalgia chronic pain, MS, asthma, emphysema, and other long-term conditions.

The grant also provided funding to be able to offer these sessions to Vermont residents for free. Full of fun activities and useful tools and skills, the group builds mutual support and confidence. Some things people learn include setting goals and tips to solve problems; using your mind as an ally; how to evaluate new health treatments; how to talk with family, friends, and health professionals so you are heard; using breath and imagery to manage symptoms; tips for healthy eating; and exercises to maintain and improve strength, flexibility, and endurance. Join up and learn that long-term conditions don’t have to stop you.

Based on the Stanford University School of Medicine model, this national program has helped thousands of people living with long-term conditions to live healthier lives. People completing the Healthier Living Workshops series have reported increased energy, less stress, and fewer doctor visits. According to Stanford, “The process in which the program is taught makes it effective. The class is highly participative where mutual support and success build participants’ confidence in ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.” This national program has successfully helped people all over the country to make changes, reduce ED and doctor visits, and improve their quality of life.

Participants need to attend all six sessions and stay the full time of each class. Family members and friends who help participants at home are also invited. Enrollment is limited, and future workshops will be offered. Call Jane Yetter Lunt, Regional Coordinator, Healthier Living Workshops at BMH, at 802-251-8459 for waiting list information and for fee information for those outside of Vermont.

These workshops are offered as a community service by Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in the interest of helping keep people healthy.

For dates of future courses or for more information on Healthier Living Workshops occurring on six consecutive weekday evenings, e-mail us at wcornwell@bmhvt.org or call 802-251-8459. A course textbook and CD is provided.