The Pathways to Better Health workshops are designed to give you the skills and motivation to:

• Become more physically and socially active
• Start and keep to a healthy diet
• Learn techniques to manage fatigue and pain
• Cope with difficult emotions such as anger, frustration and fear
• Improve communications with your health care provider and others in your life

Pathways to Better Health is based on a program developed and licensed by Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford's program is one of the most researched and tested chronic health condition self-management programs in the world.

Read about the Stanford Program in AARP Magazine.

Classes are intended for people who live with a broad range of chronic health conditions. Caregivers can benefit from participating in Pathways workshops.

Class features:

• Led by trained peer leaders who live with chronic conditions
• Meet weekly for 6 weeks
• Each session is 2 to 2½ hours long, including a break and snack
• Family members and caregivers are welcome to attend=
• Sessions are informal (it's OK to get up and move around)
• Participants receive the book Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions

Search for current Pathways to Better Health classes.

Pathways to Better Health Leader training

If you are interested in helping people, like to teach and want a rewarding volunteer experience, consider becoming a Pathways to Better Health peer leader. Classes are lead by two leaders so you always work with a partner and you teach using a detailed manual. Training programs are conducted two to three times during the year.

Class features:

• Taught by experienced master trainers
• Training is 24 hours total, spread over two weeks (usually 4 days, 6½ hours per day)
• Open to patients, caregivers and health care professionals
• Informal and interactive sessions
• Learn to co-lead effective workshops
• Receive Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions and extensive leader's manual
• Participants must commit to co-lead one workshop within a year of certification
• Nurses can receive CEUs for completing the workshop series

If you have questions or would like information about becoming a leader, call  the Pathways to Better Health program coordinator at 651-326-5061.