Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs

Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs is sponsored by Administration for Community Living (ACL). Supports projects to help older adults learn to manage their chronic health conditions.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs | ACL Administration for Community Living Health, Wellness, and Nutrition Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs For adults 60 years and older — a rapidly growing population in the U.S. — the prevalence of chronic conditions and disabilities is notably high.

The demand for cost-effective strategies to manage chronic diseases is more urgent than ever. Through evidence-based chronic disease self-management education (CDSME) programs, older adults and adults with disabilities gain practical skills, knowledge, and confidence to better manage conditions like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and chronic pain. What makes CDSME programs unique?

CDSME programs transform lives by offering more than traditional medical approaches. Workshops provide peer support in comfortable, accessible community settings, where participants learn practical skills and connect with others to empower them to manage their health more proactively. Participants typically meet for two hours per week for six to eight weeks.

While each local program is unique, they are all: Evidence-based and improve health outcomes — grounded in research and proven to make a difference. Led by trained peers with lived experience — facilitators can relate personally and simplify complex health information.

Empowering self-management — helping participants build skills and confidence to manage their own health Flexible and personalized — adapting to individual needs, health conditions, and delivery methods (ranging from in-person groups to online self-directed) Chronic conditions significantly impact older adults’ quality of life, health care needs, and financial well-being.

Older adults with multiple chronic and mental health conditions account for over 75% of the nation’s health care expenditures every year, and this burden is poised to escalate . CDSME programs can deliver measurable cost savings to the U.S. health care system. Studies show that participants have an average savings of just over $700 from reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

If just 10% of Americans with chronic conditions participated in these programs, the potential savings could reach $6. 6 billion. For CDSME program participants, the positive impact is clear.

Managing their conditions effectively can improve health outcomes and reduce health care expenses, while providing skills that complement their medical care. CDSME participants experience many positive improvements in their lives.

They report: Leading more active lives Having a better quality of life Experiencing fewer sick days Communicating better with health providers Being better about taking medications These improvements are significant for many reasons, not the least of which is saving money for participants. Health problems can quickly drain a person’s savings and income, especially as they age.

And people with lower incomes often spend a larger portion of their money on health care, leaving less money for housing and food, which can worsen their health conditions. “Positive attitudes from facilitators helped motivate me to make changes to food, exercise, and socializing. I use stress management to develop realistic action plans for changes.

” -Participant, Diabetes Self-Management Program Building capacity, expanding access, and improving outcomes These investments help communities deliver affordable, evidence-based services to older adults and adults with disabilities, ensuring programs are accessible, scalable, and grounded in proven strategies. As a result, individuals experience improved health outcomes and quality of life.

Grantees undertake a wide range of activities to build capacity and bring programs to scale, including: Partnering with area agencies on aging, local health departments, rural clinics, and hospitals to deliver programs Targeting self-management interventions to support individuals affected by chronic pain and opioid use Documenting health care savings through health information exchange systems Engaging volunteers to expand program reach and strengthen community health Both competitive and state-directed funding are critical in strengthening partnerships, developing sustainable models, and generating tools and insights that can be shared across the national network.

These efforts collectively accelerate impact, expand reach, and improve outcomes nationwide. In 2024, AoA awarded 4 fully-funded cooperative agreements (four-year project period) totaling approximately $2,399,993 and 1 fully funded cooperative agreement (three-year project period) for $3,260,699, for a total of $5,660,692.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KS) Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (PA) Puerto Rico Department of Health (PR) Shasta Community Health Center (CA) University of Louisville Research Foundation – Trager Institute (KY) In 2023, AoA awarded 8 fully-funded cooperative agreements (four-year project period) totaling approximately $ 4,793,731.

Cherry Street Services/Cherry Health (Michigan) Christian City, Inc (Georgia) Delta Health Alliance (Mississippi) Michigan State University Extension (Michigan) New Mexico Diabetes Advisory Council (New Mexico) Rural Health Network of South Central New York (New York) Texas A&M University (Texas) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (Texas) In 2022, AoA awarded 9 fully-funded cooperative agreements (three-year project period) totaling approximately $6 million.

Education Health and Research International, Inc. (Delaware) Rush University Medical Center (Illinois) National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Innovations for Aging, LLC (Minnesota) Lamprey Healthcare, Inc. (New Hampshire) University of North Carolina at Asheville Rhode Island Parent Information Network University of Wyoming Center on Aging In 2021, AoA awarded 8 forward-funded cooperative agreements (three-year project period) totaling approximately $6.

1 million. AgeOptions, Inc. (Illinois) Central Maine Area Agency on Aging (Maine) Mid-America Regional Council (Missouri) Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Nebraska) Cherokee County Health Services Council (Oklahoma) Pennsylvania Department of Aging (Pennsylvania) In 2020, AoA awarded 10 forward-funded cooperative agreements (three-year project period) totaling $6. 4 million.

Read about 2020 CDSME Grantees’ Impact on older adults.

Atlanta Regional Commission University of Nevada Reno Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Health Promotion Council of Southeast PA Metropolitan Community Health Services Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging Inc. Partners In Care Foundation, Inc. Presbyterian Healthcare Services Rush University Medical Center In 2019, AoA awarded 11 forward-funded cooperative agreements (three-year project period) totaling $6. 4 million.

Community Council of Greater Dallas Florida Department of Elder Affairs Idaho Commission on Aging Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Metropolitan Community Health Services, Inc. National Kidney Foundation of Michigan New York State Office for the Aging Rush University Medical Center South Dakota State University University of North Carolina at Asheville Washington State Department of Social and Health Services In 2018, AoA awarded 10 forward-funded cooperative agreements (three-year project period) totaling $6.

6 million.

Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago Central Maine Area Agency on Aging Innovations for Aging, LLC (MN) Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services The Curators of the University of Missouri Wyoming State Department of Health Big Sandy Health Care, Inc. (KY) Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley (MA) Health Foundation of South Florida Partners in Care Foundation, Inc. (CA) Rhode Island Department of Health Utah Department of Health Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging National CDSME Resource Center This ACL-funded center raises awareness about the impact of chronic conditions on older adults and supports the implementation of evidence-based health promotion programs across the nation.

It also provides information, resources, and technical assistance to build the capacity of the national aging services network.

The resource center synthesizes insights from grantees nationwide, creating valuable resources based on: Implementation challenges and solutions Emerging opportunities in program delivery National patterns and trends across communities Best practices for program sustainability and growth This approach allows organizations to benefit from collective experiences, adopt proven strategies, and accelerate speed to market with new initiatives — ultimately improving program efficiency and expanding reach to serve more older adults with chronic conditions.

To find a CDSME program, contact your local area agency on aging or visit the Eldercare Locator . Organizations interested in offering CDSME programs can contact the National CDSME Resource Center . Last modified on 03/05/2026