National Council on Aging

Chronic Disease

About 91% of older adults have a least one chronic condition, and 73% have at least two. Chronic conditions – such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, and lung disease – seriously compromise the quality of life of older adults, often forcing them to give up their independence too soon. Chronic conditions also place a significant financial burden on individuals as well as health care systems. In 2011, this cost totaled nearly $3 trillion. The traditional medical model – which focuses more on the illness than the patient – is costly and often ineffective. Get more facts on the impact of chronic disease at the NCOA Center for Healthy Aging – Chronic Disease.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

Through a partnership with the U.S. Administration on Aging, NCOA promotes the implementation of Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in communities throughout the United States. Offered not only in this country but also worldwide, this program has been has been proven to help older adults better manage their chronic conditions, improve their quality of life, and lower their health care costs.

CDSMP workshops meet once a week for two and one-half hours, over six consecutive weeks. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with chronic diseases themselves. Workshops are highly interactive.

Topics include the following:

• How to deal with frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation.
• Ways to maintain and improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Managing medications.
• How to communicate more effectively with family, friends, and health professionals.
• Healthy eating.

See more at: NCOA Center on Healthy Aging – Chronic Disease Self-Management Program