Men’s Health Peer Education
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources (Tab 25)
Living with chronic disease or chronic
pain
Resources
The following resources can be found in this section:

Living with chronic disease or chronic pain (PPTs)

Scenario: Living with chronic disease or chronic pain

Quiz: Living with chronic disease or chronic pain

Handouts
The DVA Trainer will determine which activities are suitable for the training. Please note
not all activities may be used during the training.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources (Tab 25)
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain (PPTs)
The Living with chronic disease or chronic pain PowerPoint (PPT) is located on the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Men’s Health Peer Education Volunteer Resource
website page.
The PPT file is: TAB25 – Living with chronic disease or chronic pain.ppt
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources (Tab 25)
Scenario
SCENARIO: Living with chronic disease or chronic pain (training use only)
‘If I was a horse they’d shoot me’, says Danny. ‘They tell me to keep the weight off
through exercise for my diabetes, but my knees are stuffed. The tablets I take for
the arthritis in my knees upset my sugar levels. I hold back on the painkillers till the
knees are bad enough, and then they barely help. I want to do the right thing, but I
can’t even thrash out nine holes now.’
Questions to raise / Talking points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What are Danny’s health concerns?
What positive elements are present in your discussion with Danny that may
assist his health management?
What else would be helpful in knowing how you can help from a MHPE
perspective?
What key messages can you give Danny regarding his chronic illnesses?
Is there any additional information for Danny regarding his pain
management?
(see possible responses on next page)
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources (Tab 25)
Men’s Health Peer Education
SCENARIO: Living with chronic disease or chronic pain (training use only)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What are Danny’s health concerns?

diabetes, probably type 2

arthritis in knees (osteoarthritis?)

frustration/disillusionment

unstable blood sugar levels (BSL)

chronic pain

medication knowledge and management?
 insufficient exercise?
What positive elements are present in your discussion with Danny that may
assist his health management?

motivation

talking about the issues

has diagnoses

takes his medicines

sees his doctor?
 exercise history
What else would be helpful in knowing how you can help from a MHPE
perspective?

partner/family—engaged with Danny’s health?

regularity of contact with GP

involvement of other health professionals

is he taking medication as advised by his doctor/s

has he tried other exercise, e.g. water-based exercise

diet influence on weight loss
What key messages can you give Danny regarding his chronic illnesses?

doing the right thing by talking about it

doing the right thing by wanting to stay active

consider a list of questions/issues to take to his doctor

consider other opinions, e.g. specialist doctors, exercise physiologist

stay in touch with a good GP and dietitian
 try exercise alternatives, e.g. water-based exercise
Is there any additional information for Danny regarding his pain
management?

consider keeping a pain diary, including when he takes medication

sources of further education about pain management, e.g. taking
regular doses if ordered, other non-drug methods

pain clinic referral if doctor thinks warranted
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources (Tab 25)
Quiz
QUIZ: Living with chronic disease or chronic pain
Select the best answer.
1.
Which is not true of chronic illness?
a.
It can be life threatening
b.
It often comes on gradually
c.
It is long-lasting
d.
It is usually curable
2.
When is the rate of chronic illness likely to be highest?
a.
Under 25, due to rapidly rising rates of obesity
b.
Men in their 50s and 60s, due to high rates of obesity and diabetes
c.
Women in their 60s and 70s, due to high rates of cancers and
cardiovascular disease
d.
Those over 80
3.
Chronic illness is best managed by:
a.
Finding the best specialist in that illness and living your life as you want,
rather than making compromises
b.
Dealing with it yourself, with advice from the GP—it is your illness
c.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, as most chronic illnesses result from a
modern, unhealthy lifestyle
d.
Taking an active role by working with clinicians and not going it alone
4.
Chronic pain is the term used to describe pain that:
a.
Occurs most days of the week for at least three months
b.
Never stops
c.
Gets worse over the person’s life
d.
Is not severe, but interferes with activities
5.
The best way to deal with chronic pain is to:
a.
Accept that the pain is part of your life, but focus on living well
b.
Fight the pain, as most chronic pain can be defeated
c.
Learn ways of dealing with the pain without having to regularly use
medication
d.
Focus on finding the cause, no matter how long it takes
6.
Helpful words for a mate with chronic pain would be:
a.
‘Only take your pain medication when needed’
b.
‘Deal with it yourself. Your pain—your problem; otherwise you will lose
the support of those around you’
c.
‘Meditation and relaxation is more useful than most western medicines’
d.
‘Don’t avoid activities. Learn to pace yourself.’
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources (Tab 25)
QUIZ: Living with chronic disease or chronic pain (ANSWERS)
Select the best answer.
1.
Which is not true of chronic illness?
a.
It can be life threatening
b.
It often comes on gradually
c.
It is long-lasting
d.
It is usually curable
2.
When is the rate of chronic illness likely to be highest?
a.
Under 25, due to rapidly rising rates of obesity
b.
Men in their 50s and 60s, due to high rates of obesity and diabetes
c.
Women in their 60s and 70s, due to high rates of cancers and
cardiovascular disease
d.
Those over 80
3.
Chronic illness is best managed by:
a.
Finding the best specialist in that illness and living your life as you want,
rather than making compromises
b.
Dealing with it yourself, with advice from the GP—it is your illness
c.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, as most chronic illnesses result from a
modern, unhealthy lifestyle
d.
Taking an active role by working with clinicians and not going it alone
4.
Chronic pain is the term used to describe pain that:
a.
Occurs most days of the week for at least three months
b.
Never stops
c.
Gets worse over the person’s life
d.
Is not severe, but interferes with activities
5.
The best way to deal with chronic pain is to:
a.
Accept that the pain is part of your life, but focus on living well
b.
Fight the pain, as most chronic pain can be defeated
c.
Learn ways of dealing with the pain without having to regularly use
medication
d.
Focus on finding the cause, no matter how long it takes
6.
Helpful words for a mate with chronic pain would be:
a.
‘Only take your pain medication when needed’
b.
‘Deal with it yourself. Your pain—your problem; otherwise you will lose
the support of those around you’
c.
‘Meditation and relaxation is more useful than most western medicines’
d.
‘Don’t avoid activities. Learn to pace yourself.’
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
Men’s Health Peer Education
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources (Tab 25)
Handout
The following handout can be found in this section:

DVA MHPE Information Sheet: Living with chronic disease or chronic pain
The Veterans’ MATES series has many other useful brochures that relate to a range
of chronic conditions. View the them all on the Veterans’ MATES website
(www.veteransmates.net.au/topics).
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources (Tab 25)
Men’s Health Peer Education
MHPE Information Sheet: Living with chronic disease
or pain
The term ‘chronic diseases’ often refers to those that are long-lasting, come on
gradually and not cured completely. They are frequently influenced by lifestyle and
genetic risk factors and may involve chronic pain. Common chronic diseases in
Australia include diabetes, arthritis and obesity. One in three Australians have a
chronic disease, the rate increasing with age. Many people who live with a chronic
condition say that although it can be a challenge, the most important thing is for
you to take control of your life, rather than letting the disease dictate. Selfmanaging a chronic condition means working in partnership with health
professionals, family and friends.
Self-management is about taking an active role in managing any long term health
condition.
Self-management is not about going it alone.
Strategies
Learn all you can about your condition
Knowledge can increase your sense of comfort and control. Become the expert in
your treatment options and managing your symptoms. Start with your GP and/or
an organisation that specialises in your illness.
Talk about your condition
Be honest about your feelings and concerns with family and friends, who may be
your best source of support. Many men find it useful to talk to someone who has
been through the same thing; You may be someone else’s support person later!
Build relationships with your health specialists
Tell your health specialists about yourself and your hopes and concerns. Make a list
of all the things you want to talk about; They will appreciate your preparation. Stay
in touch with your GP for continuity about other health issues you want to discuss.
Stay well
The health promotion message is even more important in chronic illness: Maintain
your exercise, eat and sleep well, stay connected and have some time out for fun.
You may need to modify your diet or exercise regime, but do that with professional
advice.
Reviewed: 08/10/2015
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
(Tab 25) Living with chronic disease or chronic pain: resources, activities and handouts
Men’s Health Peer Education
Use medicines correctly
Take medicines, including pain-killers, as prescribed, and talk to your doctor about
concerns. Be careful of ‘self-medication’; alcohol and other drugs may ‘numb’ the
pain a bit, but may add a new problem.
Remember chronic illness or pain is not just a physical problem
Chronic conditions may require some adjustment; commonly challenges are
physical and emotional, but work and relationships are often affected. Many men
have found that dealing well with stress and fatigue in turn helps manage the
condition. Learn relaxation and symptom management techniques and problemsolving skills through VVCS, your GP or a pain clinic.
Live life
Live life with all its ups and downs. Set small goals, fail sometimes, reward yourself
for success, make choices, have a go. Chronic illness or pain is but one aspect of
your life; enjoy all the other parts and share the pleasure with family and friends.
And stay in touch with your mates; they may have chronic health issues too, and
you can make a difference. Humour, familiarity and companionship are wonderfully
therapeutic. Pace yourself!
Further information
VVCS website (www.dva.gov.au/vvcs) or phone 1800 011 046
Chronic Illness Alliance website (www.chronicillness.org.au) (includes links for
many chronic illness groups, or carefully search the internet by specific illness for
Australian organisations, often with .org.au websites).
Men’s Health Peer Education is a program of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Visit the DVA website (www.dva.gov.au/mhpe.htm) for more details.
Version Date: 27102015
Reviewed: 15/04/2013