Heather Coyle serves a dual appointment as Visiting Commmunity and Economic Development Educator and Program Coordinator for the Chronic Disease Self Management Program entitled "Take Charge of Your Health: Live Well Be Well."

Ms. Coyle graduated "summa cum laude" with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, followed by a Masters of Business Adminstration from Liberty University in Virginia. She was employed by the University for numerous years, concluding her with her appointment as an Academic Advisor for the School of Life Long Learning.

Upon returning to Illinois, Ms. Coyle was employed by Skills Incorporated as a Business Instructor teaching new job skills to low-income, displaced and disabled workers. She then served 9 years as Central Services Administrator for Whiteside County Courthouse in Morrison, administering a variety of government projects including local and wide area computer networking, software deployment and systems conversion, GIS systems, central purchasing, asset inventories, building and grounds, microfilm, and mail services.

Employed by University of Illinois Extension in 1994, her experiences in county government were a natural fit for working with local government officials. Starting with a $500 Senior Wellness seed grant, she also established partnerships with area health agencies to develop Fit for Life and other wellness related programs. This experience led to her current dual appointment in 2007 in Community Development and Chronic Disease Self Management.

A native of La Salle-Peru, she has been a resident of Morrison since 1992 and has learned to appreciate the unique resources and strong independent spirit rural communities in Illinois have to offer.

Program Offerings

Program Purpose: Live Well Be Well offers people who experience the challenges of living with one or more chronic health conditions information to develop confidence, skills, and knowledge to more effectively manage their condition(s) and regain control of their lives.

Primary Premises:

1. Chronic health conditions affect people of all ages. Statistics indicate people over 60 years of age have on average 2.2 chronic diseases.[1]
2. Patients experience their chronic condition(s) 24/7, have the greatest vested interest in their own care, and have the ultimate authority to make treatment decisions. They are their own primary health care manager. Therefore, it only makes sense to educate patients regarding how to manage their condition(s) effectively.
3. The basic consequences of chronic diseases are similar; therefore, the skills one must learn to successfully manage the conditions are similar.

Program Development: Live Well Be Well is an evidence-based program sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. The program, also known as the Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP), is an internationally recognized chronic disease self-management program developed by Stanford University's Patient Education Research Center. Live Well Be Well does not conflict with existing programs or medical treatment. The program is especially helpful for those trying to coordinate treatment for more than one chronic condition.

Program Format: The program is normally scheduled for seven sessions - two and a half hours per week for seven weeks. Classes are highly participative, taught by trained and certified instructors, and build upon the successful outcomes of each individual.

WEEK TOPIC

Week 1 Intro./overview, managing symptoms, pre-program data collection

Week 2 Problem solving, difficult emotions, fitness & exercise

Week 3 Pain and fatigue

Week 4 Nutrition, health care, communication

Week 5 Medications, making treatment decisions, depression

Week 6 Working with health care professionals, future plans

Week 7 Wrap-up celebration and post-program data collection

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2005.

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