PATH (Personal Action Toward Health)
What is it:
The Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (PATH in Michigan) was developed and tested by Stanford University to help people learn to better manage their long-term health conditions. It is a six-week workshop conducted in 2 1/2 hour sessions each week. Workshops are offered in community locations. Search for PATH Workshops happening in Summer/Fall 2016 near you.
Who should participate:
PATH is designed to benefit adults with chronic or ongoing health conditions including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, and depression. Family members, friends, and caregivers are also encouraged to attend.
Types of PATH Workshops:
PATH workshops are also offered to people with specific health challenges such as diabetes, kidney disease, and chronic pain. These workshops are similar to the traditional PATH but offer additional information and support for people with those conditions.
- General PATH is for anyone with a chronic health condition such as arthritis, hypertension, cancer, and other long term health problems.
- Diabetes-PATH is for people who are living with Type 2 diabetes.
- Chronic Pain PATH is for people living with chronic pain.
- Kidney PATH is for people living with chronic kidney disease
What are the benefits of participating?
- fewer symptoms
- better communication with physicians
- a greater sense of control over your health
- increased physical activity
- better general health compared to those who had not participated in the workshop
View the video above to find out more about PATH for consumers. To view the video created for providers, click playlist and then select Michigan Partners on the PATH: Providers.
What happens in a PATH workshop?
Workshops are led by two trained leaders who may, themselves, have a long-term health condition. The workshop content is not disease specific; rather, it focuses on symptoms that are common to people with a variety of health conditions. The goal of the workshop is to help participants become better self-managers by creating personal action plans and setting practical, achievable goals. Participants learn to deal with problems such as pain, fatigue, and difficult emotions. Other topics include managing symptoms, managing medications, working with health care providers, relaxation, healthy eating, physical activity, and communicating with family and friends.
Path Workshop Topics: Six Session Course
Search for PATH Workshops happening near you.
Becoming a PATH Leader:
If you would like to become a PATH Leader or would like to talk to someone for more information, please fill out the PATH Leader Form.
Generous Program Funders:
Generous Program Funders
Area Agency on Aging - 1B
Area Agency on Aging - The Senior Alliance
Area Agency on Aging – Region 7
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Michigan Public Health Institute
Valley Area Agency on Aging
HHS-Office on Women’s Health