Living Well Rhode Island

Mission

The Living Well Rhode Island (LWRI) Program is a low-cost, evidence based disease prevention model that utilizes state of the art techniques to help those with chronic diseases to manage their conditions, improve their health status, and reduce their need for more costly medical care. The program consists of a six week workshop series of two and a half hours per week. The program helps participants develop the skills and coping strategies they need to manage their symptoms through action planning, interactive learning, behavior modeling, problem solving, decision making, and social support for change.

2012 Accomplishments and Milestones

• Provided Living Well Rhode Island workshops to 822 participants since 2010
• Completion of LWRI workshops by 649 participants since?2010 for a completion rate of 79%
• 36 active Leaders in chronic disease self-management education programs
• 18 active Master Trainers in chronic disease self-management education programs

Key Focus Areas

Arthritis Program

The Arthritis Program was funded in July 2012 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for five years to ensure that 12,500 people with arthritis participate in Living Well RI workshops or an evidence-based  exercise programs sponsored by the National Arthritis Foundation. The exercise programs include Walk with Ease and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise program. The Arthritis Foundation is a key partner in delivering evidence-based programs to people with arthritis.

Administration on Aging

The Administration on Aging provided this funding in September 2012 for the next three years to continue its support in ensuring that the Rhode Island Department of Health in partnership with the Division of Elderly Affairs expand and strengthen its capacity to deliver and sustain Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs. These programs include Living Well RI (LWRI), Chronic Pain Self Management and Diabetes Self Management for 2,500 older and/or disabled adults with chronic disease.