Living Well FAQs

We have five programs to support you: four, 6-week self-management workshops, and one-year long prevention program.

• Chronic Disease Self-Management
• Diabetes Self-Management
• Chronic Pain Self-Management
• Diabetes Prevention Program
• Cancer Symptoms & Treatment Self-Management

We are offering multiple ways to participate in Living Well workshops:

• Interactive workshop using Zoom platform for Living Well Diabetes Prevention.
• Mailed Toolkit with Phone Support for Living Well With Chronic Conditions, Living Well With Chronic Pain, Living Well With Diabetes, and Living Well With & After Cancer.
• Mailed Toolkit independent-study for Living Well With Chronic Conditions, Living Well With Chronic Pain, Living Well With Diabetes, and Living Well With & After Cancer.

Self-management workshops are designed to build confidence in your ability to manage your health and the symptoms related to your chronic condition. Participants learn new ways to support their physical, mental, and emotional health in a supportive group environment.

Core concepts for the self-management programs include:

• Action planning and modifying action plans to reach desired health goals
• Problem-solving
• Decision making
• Understanding emotions

In addition, each program has condition-specific content:

• Chronic Disease Self-Management
• Diabetes Self-Management
• Chronic Pain Self-Management
• Cancer Symptoms & Treatment Self-Management

• The Chronic Conditions toolkit includes the updated Living a Healthy Life book, a CD for exercise (with 3 different exercise routines), a relaxation CD, tip sheets, a self-test that directs people on how to individualize their use of the toolkit, and drawings of all the exercises in each routine on the CD.
• The Diabetes toolkit includes the updated Living a Healthy Life book, exercise CD, a My Diabetes Plate magnet, tip sheets, self-test, and drawings of all the exercises in the routines.
• The Chronic Pain toolkit includes the updated Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain book, Moving Easy Program CD, a relaxation CD, self-test and booklet.
• The Living Well With & After Cancer toolkit includes the updated Living a Healthy Life book, a CD for exercise (with 3 different exercise routines), a relaxation CD, tip sheets, a self-test that directs people on how to individualize their use of the toolkit, and drawings of all the exercises in each routine on the CD.

Participants receive the toolkits with both, however, the phone support includes meeting once a week for six weeks on toll-free conference calls (with 4-5 people) to obtain support and structure. Calls have an organized format and last approximately 20-45 minutes. They provide opportunities to brainstorm, problem-solve, and discuss action plans.

Diabetes Self-Management workshops are 6 weeks long and are designed for those managing their diabetes. Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long small group workshop that meets weekly for one hour for 16 weeks, then tapers to monthly meetings. If you have had a diagnosis of diabetes, you are not eligible for this program.

The course is FREE to participants. However, a commitment for 6 weeks is required.

• There are 6-week long workshops that are offered each month.
• The year-long diabetes prevention program starts the first Wednesday of each month. Choose to attend from 12:00pm — 1:00pm or 5:00pm — 6:00pm.

You can sign up for a workshop series by:

• Filling out the form on the workshop page you would like to attend:
  • Diabetes Self-Management
  • Chronic Disease Self-Management
  • Pain Self-Management
  • Diabetes Prevention Program
  • Cancer Symptoms & Treatment Self-Management
• Calling: (607) 547-3948
• Emailing: LivingWellSessions@bassett.org

• We understand it may not be possible for you to make every session. You can always contact your peer leaders or fellow participant to get the information missed.
• Participants also receive a program overview and “homework” handout. If you complete the homework, you will feel more prepared for the next session.
• For further questions, call the Living Well program office at (607) 547-3948.

• Anyone who is living with the condition covered in the workshop (chronic disease, diabetes, chronic pain, or cancer).
• Caregivers, spouses, and anyone else close to those who are living with one of these conditions.
• The diabetes prevention program is appropriate for any adult at risk for diabetes.
• The program is open to adults living in the following counties: Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Otsego, or Schoharie.

• All participants had reported that they would recommend this workshop to a friend.
• Over 97% of participants reported having a better understanding of how to manage their health and/or physical activity.
• After the workshop participants felt more motivated to take care of their health.
• The peer leaders and the workshop design is based on creating an open and trusting environment in which participants feel safe and comfortable sharing personal information.
• The group support developed at the workshop was reported as a great benefit to sharing ideas on similar conditions and in not feeling alone. The Participant Satisfaction Survey results from those who attended the workshop report that 100% of participants felt comfortable and part of the group, and that their opinions and contributions to the group were valued. One participant stated: 

"By sharing information with other participants I learned we all struggle with similar issues but can work through them and have success!”

Based on evidence generated, these workshops can provide physical, mental and emotional improvements that effect one’s quality of life:

• Decreased pain
• Decreased depression
• Increased physical activity and healthy eating
• Increased energy
• Better communication with providers
• Increased confidence and motivation to make healthy changes
• Ability to create action plans to reach goals
• Ability to use problem solving as a technique to adapt goals to changing circumstances
• Skills to address difficult emotions that can effect symptoms

Mailed Toolkit with Weekly Phone Support

• Phone service (call is toll-free)
• Quiet or private area during the workshop to improve hearing quality and confidentiality of all participants.

Zoom Sessions

• High speed internet access with web browser or Zoom app.
• Participants and leaders must have a webcam and use it during the workshop.
• Quiet or private area during the workshop to improve hearing quality and confidentiality of all participants.

The workshops will not conflict with existing programs or treatment. They are designed to complement regular treatment and disease-specific education such as diabetes instruction.

• Patients can self-refer
  • Call: (607) 547-3948
  • Email: LivingWellSessions@bassett.org
  • Visit us online
• Program staff are also willing to work through a mutually convenient process with clinic staff. Please see the contact information above to set-up a time to discuss.
• Bassett Health patients can be referred to the Living Well program through the electronic medical record.

Adults are allowed to participate as caregivers in the Living Well workshops. If your older teen is interested in participating, please contact their pediatrician for referral. Contact Living Well program to sign up for a workshop.