Healthy aging: programs for self-management of chronic disease second of a 2-part series

Part 1 of this series described several healthy aging evidence-based programs and discussed collaborative opportunities for senior care pharmacists within these programs. Offered in community-based settings such as Area Agencies on Aging and senior centers, these programs focus on falls prevention, physical activity, depression management, and substance abuse prevention. This article-Part 2-explores chronic disease self-management programs (CDSMPs) that are designed to help older adults manage their chronic conditions by giving them self-confidence in their ability to control symptoms and manage the progression of their illnesses. In general, self-management programs provide older adults with education and tools to enable them to cope with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory diseases, chronic pain, and arthritis. The programs help participants handle stress, better manage their medications, discuss the benefits of and encourage physical activity and good nutrition, and communicate more effectively with health care providers, including pharmacists. Participants develop action plans related to these issues through structured planning and feedback exercises. As of January 2011, more than 70,000 older Americans have completed a CDSMP.