Beginning this month, Senior Services of Island County is offering two free six-week interactive workshops to assist Whidbey Islanders in living well with chronic pain or diabetes.

The programs, entitled “Living Well with Chronic Pain” and “Living Well with Diabetes,” will be offered at the Freeland and Coupeville libraries, respectively.

Senior Services offers about five to six such workshops each year, including a third entitled “Living with Chronic Illness.”

The workshop series was developed at Stanford University after 20 years of study. Senior Services of Island County began offering the course on Living Well with Chronic Pain for about two years, though this is the first time the diabetes course will be offered on the island.

All workshops are open to those suffering from such conditions, their family members or caretakers ages 18 or older.

Those with pre-diabetes are also welcome to attend the diabetes course. This workshop does not crossover or conflict with the diabetes support group at Whidbey General Hospital, according to course facilitators.

The Living Well courses focus upon imparting practical knowledge intended to enrich the lives of those struggling with chronic pain or illnesses.

The curriculum includes a proverbial toolbox of information containing information on action planning, decision-making, coping and communication, as well as other helpful everyday tips for things like meal planning, for those with diabetes.

Nancy Bolin, program coordinator and facilitator, had four years of experience leading “Living Well” classes in Maryland prior to moving to Whidbey.

Bolin has also been a participant in the classes, having first become acquainted with the program when she attended a course on Living Well with Chronic Illness. Bolin has diabetes.

She and a fellow student were so impressed with the curriculum that they trained to become leaders themselves shortly thereafter.

When a program specifically for living well with diabetes was released, Bolin said she was “astounded.”

“They finally had one just for me.”

In the courses, students and facilitators form a bond, Bolin and Debbie Metz, nutrition director for Senior Services of Island County, said. Metz is also a course facilitator and has herself attended a course on living well with chronic pain.

“You meet so many interesting people, yet there’s a common denominator,” Metz said. “Everybody needs help in some way or fashion, and the support of others is so critical.”

Bolin explained that a large part of the series’ effectiveness stems from the leaders’ personal experiences with these conditions and their ability to relate.

There is a high level of trust that is established, with the knowledge that stories and information shared in the workshop is confidential. HIPPA rules apply as well.

“You have people helping people,” Bolin said.

The first “Living Well with Diabetes” class will take place from 1-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Coupeville Library. The class meets once a week for six weeks, through Dec. 8.

“Living Well with Chronic Pain” began Thursday, Oct. 15 and will continue on for five more weeks, meeting each Thursday from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Freeland Library.

Registration is required. No registrants will be accepted after the second class in the series. Call 360-321-1600, ext. 23, to secure a place.