Michigan Partners on the PATH

This video highlights the Personal Action Toward Health, or PATH, program which is presenting by a number of organizations across Michigan. PATH is a free six-week community workshop that meets two and one-half hours, one day per week, designed to benefit adults with any long-term health problem including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, overweight, and depression. Family members, friends and caregivers are also encouraged to attend the workshop. PATH is designed for participants to learn self-management skills and tools that may ease the symptoms of their health problem. The workshop emphasis is on creating personal action plans and setting practical, achievable goals. Two trained leaders conduct the workshop. (One or both may have a lifelong health condition.) Topics covered include managing symptoms, coping with difficult emotions, understanding medications, working with a health care team, communication skills, relaxation techniques, eating well and exercising safely and easily. PATH is taught in English at most locations, but also available in other languages including Arabic, several Asian languages and Spanish. (The Spanish program is entitled Tomando Control de su Salud.)