Case Studies
Do you have a long term health condition? Health Trainers are here to help
Health trainers are working across Kirklees to help people manage their long term conditions better with tips on diet and exercise. Health Trainers are also able to provide personal support to help people with such conditions to stay independent.
How will a health trainer help me?
Health trainers will:
- Help to motivate you to set personal goals for improving your health and develop personal plans.
- Support you to carry out your plans and sign post you to appropriate resources.
- Identify barriers that might prevent you making healthier choices and help you to find solutions by listening, empathising, and sharing experiences and information.
- Work as a bridge between you and health care staff.
What kind of things can a health trainer help me with?
Health trainers can help you:
- to improve your diet
- to increase your physical activity
- improve your mental health and well-being
- to drink sensibly
- manage the impact of your condition
Case study 1:
Maureen aged 58* is house bound and suffers from a number of conditions including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes and obesity. Maureen’s needs were assessed and the health trainer highlighted diet, stress management and relaxation techniques as the most important areas to help Maureen with. Although Maureen’s diet is healthy, she has problems exercising because she is restricted by oxygen cylinders, which she needs to use 24 hours a day.
The health trainer provided Maureen with support on a wide range of issues including information on diet and stress management techniques. Exercise equipment was also loaned to increase activity and a gentle exercise routine developed. This improved Maureen’s activity levels as she could exercise while remaining in her chair.
Maureen said: “The Health Trainers have really helped me to manage my long term conditions and live a healthier lifestyle”.
Case study 2:
Brian aged 43* suffers from a heart condition and was referred to the Health Trainers from cardiac rehabilitation. They looked at Brian’s health needs and identified that he would like more support on eating the right types of food and improving his physical activity. Brian completed a food diary for one week and it became apparent that he did not have a very balanced diet and would often miss lunchtime meals completely but would feel hungry in the evening so would snack. The Health Trainers advised Brian on how to improve his diet and eating habits and to reduce his overall alcohol consumption throughout the week. Brian was still recovering from a heart operation so could only perform light exercise. It was agreed that he would walk regularly each day for only short distances until his strength returned. At the end of the one-to-one sessions with the Health Trainer, Brian had built on his fitness levels and with his healthier diet and extra walking, coupled with the help of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team, he was feeling much stronger. His drinking habits also improved and he is focused on loosing weight and staying healthy.
Brian said: “After visiting the health training service I feel as though I am starting to be more in control of my condition and aim to continue to follow the tips I have been given to stay healthy”.
Names and ages have been changed
For more information about Health Trainers:
In Batley, Dewsbury & Mirfield or Spen contact Almas Rashid, North Kirklees Health Trainer Team Leader on 01924 816176.
In Huddersfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton or The Valleys contact Maggie Horn, South Kirklees Health Trainer Team Leader on 01484 344349.
