Managing Ongoing Health Conditions
Arthritis Self-Management
This class is cosponsored by the Stanford Arthritis Program and the Arthritis Foundation. Open to the community.
Sessions: Dates and times vary; six weeks, 2 hours/week
Fee: $25; fee waivers available to members and nonmembers
Information: Call Stanford University at 1-800-366-2624.
Asthma Skills Walk-in Clinic
Open discussion on peak flow meters, asthma diaries, medications, self-management plans, spacers, and new devices. No referral required. Patients seen in the Emergency Department will be sent an invitation. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: Tuesday, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Fee: No fee
Information: Call Jill Dodge, Asthma/COPD care manager, at (408) 972-6089.
Back in Action
Feel better and gain control over your back pain. You will learn ways to sit, stand, and move that will help get you back to your daily activities more quickly. Learn the habits that will keep your back in action now and throughout your life. Taught by the Physical Therapy staff. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: One-hour session; Tuesday, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Fee: No fee
Information: Call Physical Therapy at (408) 972-6400.
Caregiver Group
This is a group for caregivers of family members with medical conditions. Coping skills and reactions to long-term caregiving are discussed. This is not a drop-in group. Practitioner screening and referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: First and third Wednesday, 9–10:30 a.m.
Fee: Office visit cost share
Information: Call the Psychiatry Department at (408) 972-3095.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Support Group
Open discussion on medications, self-management plans, and new devices.
Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: Second and fourth Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Fee: No fee
Information: Call Jill Dodge, Asthma/COPD care manager, at (408) 972-6089.
Living Well with Fibromyalgia
If you've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, join us to learn stress reduction techniques, share information, learn about community resources, and support one another through positive, solution-oriented discussions. Open to the community.
Sessions: Eight 1.5 hour sessions offered throughout the year. You can enroll in as many sessions as you choose.
Fee: $42 members; $75 nonmembers
Registration: For information or to register, call (408) 972-3340
Headache Overview
This 2-hour group class provides information, education, and management strategies for adults 18 and over living with chronic headaches (headaches recurring over a period of six months or more). Topics include types of headaches, headache triggers, the effects of lifestyle and behavior, medication categories, management techniques, and resources. Participants will meet individually with a neurologist to set up a headache management plan. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: First and third Wednesdays, 3–5 p.m.
Fee: Office visit cost share
Information: Call Neurology at (408) 972-6700.
Healthier Living with Ongoing Health Conditions
This program is for anyone who is experiencing fatigue, frustration, or pain due to diabetes, heart problems, hypertension, asthma, arthritis, or other chronic health conditions. You’ll learn about new communication techniques, medication and symptom management, and ways to develop a healthier lifestyle. You are welcome to bring a support person. You may purchase or borrow class materials through Health Education. Also available in Gilroy. Open to the community.
Sessions: Dates and times vary
Fee: Members, no fee; nonmembers, $20
Information: Call Health Education at (408) 972-3340.
Heart Failure Behavioral Group
Did you know heart failure is a manageable condition? Join us and discover how you can feel better through self-management and healthy eating. A full and enjoyable life is within your reach. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: Every other Monday, 9–11 a.m.
Fee: No fee
Information: Call (408) 972-6535.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Management Group
Find out about the roles of physiology, stress management, and nutrition in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this group, you’ll get helpful hints and learn successful coping strategies so that you can live life more fully. This group is designed for members with irritable bowel syndrome who have been ruled out for other serious GI conditions and who are interested in improving their self-care skills, often as a complement to their current medical treatment. Physician referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: First Tuesday, 4–5:30 p.m.
Fee: Office visit cost share
Information: Call (408) 363-4852.
Knee Group
This class is designed for people with nonoperative knee conditions such as osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome. Both topics are covered in this single-session class. With a regular exercise program, you can improve the strength and flexibility of the different structures around your knee joint. Taught by a physical therapist. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: Monday, times vary
Fee: Office visit cost share
Information: Call Physical Therapy at (408) 972-6400.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
IF you or a loved one has multiple sclerosis, come to this group for education and support. Open to the community.
Sessions: Time and dates vary; Call for schedule
Fee: No fee
Information: Call the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at (408) 988-7557.
Ortho Bridge Pre-Op
An orthopedic nurse teaches this class for patients and family members of patients scheduled for either a total knee or a total hip replacement surgery. Information from a variety of medical teams, including Nursing, Physical Therapy, Nutrition Services, and Discharge Planning, is presented. Orthopedic Surgery referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: Second Thursday, 10 a.m.–noon
Fee: Office visit cost share
Information: Call Orthopedic Advice at (408) 972-3030.
Pain Management Program
The goal of this program is to help you participate more fully in the activities of daily living. We’ll help you increase mobility, improve your range of motion, and improve body mechanics to enhance your self-esteem and help you feel better. You’ll learn skills and strategies for long-term chronic pain management that can optimize your health and quality of life. Staffed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, psychologists, and physical therapists. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: Dates and times vary
Fee: No fee
Information: Call (408) 972-3364.
Understanding Chronic Pain Group
What is the nature of chronic pain, and how does it differ from acute pain? What are the various treatment options for chronic pain? Join us to explore these questions and more. In this group, we emphasize that chronic pain is real. We talk about the challenges of dealing with chronic pain in cases where there is no MRI, CT, or X-ray evidence. We discuss the difference between “hurt” and “harm,” an understanding vital for effective chronic pain management. We also begin with the notion that psychological self-management strategies can help you manage chronic pain without decreasing the validity of the pain. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: First, third, and fourth Thursday, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Fee: No fee
Registration: Call (408) 972-3364.
Sleep Apnea Overview
This 2-hour program covers the anatomy of the airway, the causes of snoring and types of sleep apnea, side effects, and the effects of nasal congestion, alcohol, and caffeine. We’ll also discuss the types of corrective therapy that can help, as well as the importance of personal motivation to improve. You will learn about treatments for snoring and sleep apnea problems. A pulmonary medicine physician, a respiratory therapist, and a behavioral medicine specialist teach this class. Attendance for the full two hours of class is required. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: One session; 2 hours
Fee: Office visit cost share
Information: Call (408) 972-6560.
Spine Management Group Session
This program includes an assessment and education session with the goal of helping you gain know-ledge and self-care skills to manage your back more effectively. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: 2-hour sessions; Monday–Thursday, times vary
Fee: Office visit cost share
Registration: Call Physical Therapy at (408) 972-6400.
TMJ Class
This is a class for people with temporal mandibular joint syndrome (TMJ). Join us to learn about precautions and self-treatments for TMJ. Group size is limited. Taught by a physical therapist. Practitioner referral required. Open to Kaiser Permanente members only.
Sessions: 1 session, 1.5 hours; dates and times vary
Fee: Office visit cost share
Information: Call Physical Therapy at (408) 972-6400.
