Self-Management Programs
Learn about self-management programs for adults in Delaware living with or caring for someone with a chronic condition, a cancer diagnosis, or diabetes.
Self-Management Programs Help You Learn How to Live Better by Managing Your Disease.
Free six-week step-by-step self-management workshops are offered to adults who have or care for someone living with a chronic condition, a cancer diagnosis, or diabetes.
How Can Self-Management Programs Help You?
All programs are highly interactive and led by a team of professional lay leaders. Lay leaders are people from the community who have experience dealing with the same difficulties as those participating in the programs. They have received comprehensive in-person training to deliver the program content from a highly detailed manual. During the sessions, you will:
- Learn how to build skills to manage your disease
- Share experiences with others like you
- Help each other solve problems encountered
- Offer support to each other
What Is a Self-Management Program?
Programs are open to adults of all ages and abilities. They are evidence-based, originally developed at Stanford University. Programs feature the following:
- Small-group workshops — 12 to 16 participants
- 2.5 hours of time per session
- One session per week, for six weeks
- Community settings such as senior centers, places of worship, provider offices, libraries, and hospitals
- Rooms large enough for all participants to gather comfortably, plus space for two leaders and their materials
- Accessible locations
- Virtual workshops
Types of Programs
Self-Management Programs Will Not Conflict with Existing Programs or Treatments.
Programs are designed to enhance regular treatment and disease-specific education that is often provided through accredited programs in hospital settings. The programs do not conflict with or alter existing treatments and are designed to:
- Help you gain self-confidence in your ability to control your symptoms
- Help you control how your health problems affect your life
Self-Management Workshops Are Interactive and Informative.
Choose from in-person and virtual workshops so you can pick what works best for you. You will be able to interact with the instructor and others as you learn about ways to deal with your particular health issue effectively. Don’t put off taking care of your health. Sign up for a workshop today.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
This program is designed for adults with conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis, who struggle to find ways to manage their condition.
Diabetes Self-Management Program
Diabetes is a complex chronic illness that requires ongoing monitoring to slow or prevent complications. This program will help you gain confidence in your ability to manage your health and to maintain an active and fulfilling life.
Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
Chronic pain can be debilitating. If you are dealing with it, this program can help you develop skills to manage it so that you can get on with your life.
Cancer: Thriving and Surviving
The physical, emotional, and mental effects of cancer can be a real struggle. This workshop helps those affected by cancer to live a healthier life. Learn how to take care of your health, set priorities, and enhance relationships with loved ones and your health care team.
Become a Self-Management Leader
Have experience living well while living with an illness, working with others to help them live better, or leading in a group setting? Volunteer to lead a Self-Management Program.
Helpful links
Healthy Living
Use the Healthy Lifestyle Map to find fresh local produce, parks, trails, and fitness resources across Delaware.
Healthy Lifestyle - Better Choices for Better Chances
Better choices lead to better chances of avoiding chronic diseases. Lifestyle behaviors can affect health, and smaller healthier choices can go a long way.