Living Well and Living Well with Diabetes are evidence-based self-management workshops developed by Stanford University. They are for people who live with long term health conditions or for those caring for someone with a long term condition.  

They are 6-session interactive workshops that help people who have on-going health conditions learn real-life skills for living a full, healthy life. Participants learn how to take small steps towards positive changes and healthier living. The workshop will build participant confidence and improve their ability to manage day-to-day life. 

Topics covered include:  

  • Techniques to deal with the symptoms of diabetes, fatigue, pain, hyper/hypoglycemia, stress, and emotional problems such as depression, anger, fear and frustration 
  • Exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance 
  • Healthy eating 
  • Appropriate use of medication 
  • Working better with health care providers 

*The Living Well with Diabetes Workshop is for people with diabetes or those caring for someone with diabetes. There is more discussion about nutrition, menu planning and topics related specifically to diabetes.  

Participants make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help each other solve problems they face while creating and carrying out their self-management program. 

Workshops are led by two trained leaders; usually, one or both, are living with long-term health conditions themselves. They understand the challenges of living with chronic conditions. The workshops are designed to be a peer-to-peer learning experience with opportunities for interaction and group problem solving. 

They are offered in communities across the state in locations such as churches, libraries, hospitals, senior centers and many more! 

The way the program is taught makes it effective. Participants are very involved in the classes and support each other. Success builds participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives. 

The workshops are usually FREE of charge. 

Additional Information and Resources

Living Well is a Powerful Medicine

It is a prescription that is proven to work. Studies show people who took the workshop experienced:
• Greater energy and improved social interactions
• A more engaged and healthier lifestyle
• Better communication with family, friends and health professionals
• Feelings of improved health
• Less time in the hospital
• More confidence in their ability to take care of their
• Health
• Fewer hospitalizations

Many Living Well workshop leaders are people who live with on-going health conditions and havebeen specially trained to lead the workshop. They understand the challenges of living with a long-term health conditions. The workshops are designed to be a peer-to-peer learning experience with opportunities for interaction and group problem solving.
In the Living Well workshop participants will gain skills to:

• Manage your medications
• Deal with difficult emotions
• Eat well
• Control pain
• Set and accomplish goals
• Fight fatigue and frustration
• Start an exercise program
• Manage stress and relax
• Solve problems
• Communicate better with family, friends and health professionals

The workshop is usually FREE of charge! Contact us for more information!

NEW! Find a lifestyle change program in your community, click here

When you bring the Living Well Chronic Disease Self-Management program to your community/agency, remember it is always taught with two leaders. You can pick someone who has also been trained as a leader to teach with you or we can help match you with another leader in your area. It is highly recommended to bring someone with you from your area to also be trained so you can teach together.

Leader Application – coming soon!

Additional Information on How to Become a Living Well Leader
Who is qualified to be a Leader?

  • It is recommended that leaders have a chronic condition or have life experience living with a family member with a chronic illness.
  • Leaders can be both professionals and lay members of the community.

How do I become a Leader?

  • Attend four days (approximately 7 hours a day) of training.
  • Co-facilitate one Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop as a trainee within 6 months of completing the training.

Leaders are expected to complete one of the following to keep
their license current:

  • Co-facilitate one, six-session workshop per year.
  • Leaders who have not taught a Chronic Disease Self-Management workshop for 18 months must retake the training.

When is training?

  • There are usually at least 2 trainings held per year.

What time?

  • Generally the trainings run from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Where?

  • Locations vary across the state.

What is the cost?

We believe in this program and are dedicated to expanding it across Nebraska. At the current time, this training is generally offered at no cost. Each Leader will be provided with the teaching materials they need to instruct the classes and materials to supply the participants in the workshops.

For more information, please contact us!

Coming soon!