Evidenced-Based Health Promotion Programs

"Older adults who participate in Evidence-Based Programs can lower their risk of chronic diseases and falls—or improve long-term effects of chronic diseases or falls." – National Council on Aging

Stanford University School of Medicine Certified Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

It is the process within which the program is taught, that makes it effective. Sessions are highly participative, where participants empower themselves and each other. Mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.

Certified through Stanford University School of Medicine, Delray Community Wellness Center offers Stanford University’s community-based, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for seniors. The goal of this initiative is to “improve the triple aims of better health, better health care, and reduced costs.”

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a six-week, evidenced-based program, that meets once a week for two-and-a-half hours.

Members having different chronic health conditions attend together. Studies have shown that individuals participating do better than non-participants in all of the subject areas addressed.  Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with chronic diseases themselves. 

Subject areas include:

  • Techniques to cope with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation
  • Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance
  • Appropriate use of medications
  • Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
  • Nutrition
  • Decision making
  • How to evaluate new treatments

Diabetes Self-Management Workshop

The Diabetes Self-Management Workshop is held 2½ hours once a week for six weeks. This workshop is for people with Type 2 diabetes and is limited to groups of 12-16 participants to allow for very focused group interactions and discussions. Workshops are facilitated by two trained facilitators, one or both of whom are “peer leaders” with diabetes themselves.

Subject areas include:

  • techniques to cope with the symptoms of diabetes which may include fatigue, pain, hyper/hypoglycemia, stress, and emotional problems such as depression, anger, fear, and frustration
  • appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance
  • healthy eating
  • appropriate use of medication, and
  • working more effectively with health care providers

Participants make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help each other solve problems they encounter in creating and carrying out their self-management program. Physicians, diabetes educators, dietitians, and other health professionals, both at Stanford University School of Medicine and experts in the community, have reviewed all educational materials presented in the workshop.

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National Diabetes Prevention Program

In Palm Beach County

Approximately 119,000 adults (11.0%) have been diagnosed with diabetes, and 48,600 adults (4.5%) have been diagnosed with prediabetes

Participating in a CDC-recognized Lifestyle Change Program can cut your risk of Type 2 Diabetes in half

Established by, and under the direction of the Centers for Diseases Control and prevention (CDC), the National Diabetes Prevention Program, is “a partnership of public and private organizations working to reduce the growing problem of prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.”

Community partners work in collaboration to ensure that people with prediabetes can participate in an “evidence-based, affordable, and high-quality lifestyle change program to reduce their risk of Type 2 Diabetes and improve their overall health.”

Working in collaboration with Genesis Community Health Inc., Delray Community Wellness Center has effectively implemented a modified partnership model, thereby enabling DCWC to provide this nationally-sanctioned program to its members at risk of developing diabetes.

Key to the National Diabetes Prevention Program is the Lifestyle Change Program to prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes. Through this initiative, participants are taught to make lasting lifestyle changes – eating healthier, adding physical activity into their daily routine, and improving coping skills. Commitment is crucial for achieving lasting lifestyle changes.

Delray Community Wellness Center’s Diabetes Prevention Program runs for eight consecutive weeks with 90 minute sessions held each week.

Making lifestyle changes is an ongoing process. Staying and committing to the full program is essential in helping individuals to maintain new habits and avoid slipping back into old and often unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

Empowering yourself and each other through achievement, support, and encouragement during the entire process, will help you and other group members succeed!!!

IQUIT Tobacco Cessation - Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program

"Tobacco use is the #1 preventable cause of death and disability among Floridians." - AHEC

The overall goal of the IQUIT Program, is to strengthen the capacity of Florida’s healthcare system to deliver effective evidence-based tobacco use treatment, and prevention services throughout the state.

This program offers education on the health effects related to tobacco use, but more importantly, participants learn the benefits of quitting, and what to expect when quitting. Facilitators guide participants as they identify triggers, withdrawal symptoms, and brainstorm ways to cope.

Subject areas include:

  • Addiction, withdrawal, and medications that help
  • Planning for the quit date
  • Dealing with triggers
  • Overcoming cravings, and
  • Relapse prevention

Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program – Evidence-Based Falls Management Program for Older Adults

  • Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall
  • Every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall
  • Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) leads the National Falls Prevention Resource Center, which supports awareness and educational efforts about falls and promotes evidence-based falls prevention programs and strategies across the nation.

In collaboration with the Area Agency on Aging, Delray Community Wellness Center has implemented the Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program which is approved by the Administration on Aging and the NCOA.

The Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program acknowledges the risk of falling, but emphasizes practical coping strategies to reduce this fear which include:

  • Promoting a view of falls and fear of falling as controllable
  • Setting realistic goals for increasing activity
  • Changing the environment to reduce fall risk factors, and
  • Promoting exercise to increase strength and balance

The goal is to reduce fear of falling, stop the fear of falling cycle, and increase activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.

Food for Life Program – The Power of Food for Health

"Healthy eating begins with you! Giving your body the right nutrients and maintaining a healthy weight can help you stay active and independent!" – National Council on Aging

The Food for Life program is an award-winning program designed by physicians and nutrition experts who offer diabetes classes that focus on the lifesaving effects of healthful eating.

The goal of the program is to “teach people easy, practical ways to put the power of nutrition to work in their battle against diabetes and other diseases.”

Program Highlights

  • Community-based nutrition education program of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)
  • An innovative approach to a medical challenge – aiming first to prevent disease. When a disease has been diagnosed, it works for improving health status and outcomes
  • Classes include information about how certain foods and nutrients work to promote health and fight disease — translating complex scientific nutrition information into simple and easy meals
  • Cooking classes featuring a nutrition lecture and live cooking demonstration all within a supportive group setting

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Program

Through numerous collaborations with health and human service organizations across the country,
the Powerful Tools for Caregivers Program has reached over 70,000 family caregivers.

DCWC is offering a self-care education program for family caregivers. The Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an evidenced-based program that will provide participants with tools and strategies to better handle the unique challenges that caregivers face.

The 6-week curriculum has been shown to improve:

  • Self-Care Behaviors – increased exercise, relaxation, and medical check-ups
  • Management of Emotions – reduced guilt, anger, and depression
  • Self-Efficacy – increased confidence in coping with caregiving demands
  • Use of Community Resources – increased utilization of local services