Arthritis Foundation Programs

Currently the Take Charge of Your Diabetes and Living Well with Chronic Conditions classes are grant-funded and are offered free of charge to participants.

Living Well with Chronic Conditions

A workshop given two and a half hours, once a week, for six weeks, in community settings such as senior centers, churches, libraries and hospitals. People with different chronic health problems attend together.

Each participant in the workshop receives a copy of the companion book, Living a Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions, 4th Edition, and an audio relaxation tape, Time for Healing.

Classes are highly participative, where mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.  

The Self-Management Program will not conflict with existing programs or treatment. The problem is especially helpful for these people, as it gives them the skills to coordinate all the things needed to manage their health, as well as to help them keep active in their lives.

Take Charge of Your Diabetes

A workshop given 2 1/2 hours once a week for six weeks, in community settings.

People with type 2 diabetes attend the program in groups of 12-16. Workshops are facilitated from a highly detailed manual by two trained leaders.

Each participant in the workshop receives a copy of the companion book, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, and an audio relaxation tape.

Classes are highly participative, where mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.  

The program does not conflict with existing programs or treatment. Treatment is not altered. For medical questions, participants are referred to their physicians.

Contact Information

Autumn Layne Vespie Profile Page

Autumn Vespie
Extension Agent I
Phone: (931) 729-2404
Email: adabbs@utk.edu