POTSDAM – Individuals who have a chronic health condition, or who care for someone with these conditions are invited to attend a six-week Living Healthy Workshop provided free of charge through Canton-Potsdam Hospital (CPH) and a Blue Cross/Blue Shield grant.

The program can help attendees take charge of their life, and learn skills and techniques to improve their quality of life, or the life of someone they care about.

The workshops are being held at two different locations and times.

Attendees may register for the series being held from Oct. 10 to Nov. 14 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Father Amyot Hall, 3 Morris St., Norfolk; or for the series from Oct. 15 to Nov. 19 from 1-3:30 p.m., at Lawrence Avenue Apartments, 3 Debra Dr., Potsdam.

The sessions will be conducted by a Stanford University certified self-management trainer who will provide information, guides, and gifts for participants to take home.

Attendees will learn about making better nutritional and physical activity choices; dealing with frustration, pain, and fatigue; and sleeping better.

They will also receive skills on how to talk with their doctor and family about their health, and set goals and plans on how to improve their life and health.

CPH Health Coach Advisor Ellen Nichols, RN, BSN, CMC said the workshops are designed to give participants the tools and resources they need to make changes in their life that are achievable.

“This program is an evidence-based, self-management workshop developed at Stanford University. The program promotes self-empowerment of individuals to manage the challenges of chronic conditions and promote quality of life,” Nichols said.

Over the course of the six-week program, attendees will walk away with such items as a relaxation CD, personal wellness journal, a MedCenter System for daily medications, and the book “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.”

The Living Healthy Workshops are perfect for anyone dealing with arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic pain, stress/anxiety and various other conditions.

For more information, and to register for the free Living Healthy Workshop, contact Ellen Nichols at 315-261-5406 or enichols@cphospital.org.

When registering, participants are asked to indicate which series (Norfolk or Potsdam) they would like to attend.

Snacks will be provided at each session.