Optimizing Life

What are the Key Principles of the Optimizing Life Program?
The effectiveness of the Optimizing Life workshop is based on three principles.

Patients who improve their ability to lead healthy lifestyles, manage stress and solve problems are better able to manage their illness and response to therapy.

Patients can learn new skills by observing others (vicarious learning), practicing skills, and getting feedback.

Patients can learn in small groups led by trained lay leaders, one or both of whom are non-healthcare professionals living with or supporting someone with chronic conditions.

How are sessions delivered?
Optimizing Life is offered in small-group sessions of 8 to 16 people.  Groups meet for 2 1/2 hours, once a week, for six weeks.  Sessions are led by trained lay leaders who have personal experience living with a long-term condition, or supporting someone who does.  Group sessions are interactive.  Participants learn by practicing skills and giving feedback to on another.  Sessions are held in community settings.  Everyone in the program receives a resource book and program materials.

What do participants learn in the sessions?
The session "how-to's" include:

  • How to manage symptoms and side-effects
  • How to manage your medications
  • How to work with your healthcare team
  • How to set goals and make plans to achieve them
  • How to identify barriers and solve problems more effectively
  • How to handle difficult emotions
  • How to eat well to feel better
  • How to exercise safely and easily