Managing Epilepsy
Epilepsy affects about 2 million adults in the United States. If you are one of them, there are ways to manage your condition so that you can live life to the fullest. Epilepsy self-management education (SME) programs can help you learn how to control your seizures, manage other epilepsy symptoms, deal with stress, and improve your sleeping habits. Find out how an SME program can help you learn more and feel better.
HOBSCOTCH
Cost: Free
Format: By phone and in person
HOBSCOTCH (Home Based Self-management and Cognitive Training Changes Lives) is an 8-session program that can improve memory and quality of life in adults with epilepsy. The first and last sessions are usually held in person, and the 6 sessions in between are held by phone. A certified HOBSCOTCH memory coach teaches the sessions, which are each about 45—60 minutes long.
Subjects covered include:
- Self-awareness training that teaches participants what affects memory and attention.
- Skills training to improve memory and attention.
- Problem solving therapy to learn how to work through memory-related problems.
The Epilepsy Foundation (EF) affiliates that offer HOBSCOTCH as of fall 2018 are EF Connecticut, EF Greater Chicago, EF Kentuckiana, EF Central & South Texas, and EF Virginia.
Learn more about HOBSCOTCH.
PACES
Cost: Free
Format: By phone or in person
PACES (Program for Active Consumer Engagement in Epilepsy Self-Management) is an 8-session program that can improve self-management, mood, and quality of life in people with epilepsy. An epilepsy professional and a peer with epilepsy lead the sessions, which are each about 75 minutes long. Participants can choose to participate by phone or in-person.
Subjects covered include:
- Learning about epilepsy and related medical issues.
- Dealing with stress.
- Improving memory and thinking.
- Managing epilepsy care.
- Communicating with friends and family about your epilepsy.
The EF affiliates that offer PACES as of fall 2018 are EF of Michigan, EF Northwest, and EF Central & South Texas.
Learn more about PACES.
Project UPLIFT
Cost: Free
Format: By phone
Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) is an 8-week program that can reduce symptoms of depression and improve self-management in adults with epilepsy and depression. An instructor with mental health training and a trained peer with epilepsy lead the sessions, which are each about an hour long. A licensed psychologist supervises the sessions.
Subjects covered include:
- How thoughts affect mood.
- Letting go of problem thoughts.
- Paying attention to the present moment.
The EF affiliates that offer UPLIFT as of fall 2018 are EF of Delaware, EF of Northeastern New York, and EF Metropolitan Washington.
Learn more about Project UPLIFT.
The SME programs that follow are for people with any chronic health condition.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Cost: The cost varies by organization, but rarely is more than $50.
Format: This course is offered as an in-person workshop.
About the Program
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is an interactive workshop for people with all types of chronic conditions. Stanford University developed this course to help people with one or more chronic conditions learn the strategies to manage their condition and have the confidence to carry them out.
Program Details
This interactive workshop meets for 2.5 hours per week for 6 weeks in convenient community locations. The instructors are trained leaders, at least one of whom has a chronic condition. This workshop is known by a variety of different names, including Living Well.
The program is also available in Spanish.
Subjects covered include:
- Techniques to deal 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.
- Managing depression.
- Better breathing techniques.
- Relaxation techniques.
- Healthy eating habits.
- Making good decisions about your health.
- How to evaluate new treatments.
Visit the Self-Management Resource Center website to learn more about the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program.
Locate organizations licensed to offer the program in your area on the Evidence-Based Leadership Council website.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: Tool Kit for Active Living
Cost: $43.96.
Format: Self-study toolkit.
About the Program
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Tool Kit for Active Living provides much of the same information as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in a self-study format that you can receive by mail.
Program Details
The tool kit helps you construct your own self-management plan to deal with your chronic condition(s) through exercise, and strategies to reduce stress, fatigue, pain and other symptoms. It encourages goal setting, action planning, and thinking and acting proactively. You can work through the toolkit at your own pace, focusing on areas most important to you.
The program is also available in Spanish.
The self-study kit includes:
- The workbook Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.
- Information Sheets briefly describing common problems and helpful solutions.
- A self-test that helps you identify elements and set priorities for a personal self-management plan.
- Action Plan description with instruction and examples for developing unique plan.
- Exercise Action Plan with hints and instruction on use of the other exercise and activity materials, Relaxation CD and Exercise CD.
Visit the Self-Management Resource Center website to learn more about the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: Tool Kit for Active Living.
Tomando Control de su Salud
Cost: The cost varies by organization, but rarely is more than $50.
Format: This course is offered as an in-person workshop.
About the Program
This course, developed by Stanford University, is an interactive workshop for Spanish speaking adults with all types of chronic conditions. If you have one or more chronic condition, this program can help you learn the strategies and skills to manage your health and your condition(s) more effectively and live your everyday life.
Program Details
All the workshop sessions are held in Spanish. It is very similar to the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), but was developed to be culturally appropriate for Spanish speaking adults. Workshop sessions last for 2.5 hours per week for 6 weeks at convenient community locations.
Topics include:
- Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation.
- Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance.
- Managing depression.
- Appropriate use of medications.
- Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals.
- Healthy eating habits.
- Better breathing techniques.
- Relaxation techniques.
- Appropriate use of the health care system.
- Making good decisions about your health.
- How to evaluate new treatments.
Visit the Self-Management Resource Center website to learn more about Tomando Control de su Salud.
Locate organizations licensed to offer the program in your area on the Evidence-Based Leadership Council website.