Living well with chronic conditions is about more than managing symptoms—it is about maintaining the activities, relationships, and passions that bring meaning, joy, and purpose to everyday life.
For Vickie, an active and creative Richmond resident in her 70s, support from the Richmond Primary Care Network (PCN) has helped her continue doing exactly that.
After living with diabetes for more than a decade, Vickie began to feel overwhelmed by repetitive meal planning and discouraged about maintaining an active lifestyle. She wanted practical advice that would support her health without limiting her ability to enjoy her creative pursuits and daily activities.
A referral from Dr. Alex Chesley connected Vickie with the Richmond PCN, where she received personalized, team-based care designed around her individual goals and lifestyle.
Thoughtful, Team-Based Care for Real Life Chronic Condition Management
Vickie’s care journey began with support from a PCN Registered Dietitian, who focused on helping her build balanced eating habits without strict rules or unrealistic expectations.
Working alongside the PCN Chronic Disease Management Team, Vickie explored small, achievable lifestyle changes that fit naturally into her routine. One particularly valuable step was trialing a glucose sensor, which allowed her to better understand how food choices, meal timing, and physical activity affected her blood sugar levels.
Rather than feeling restricted by her diabetes, Vickie began feeling informed and empowered.
Simple changes—such as taking a 20-minute walk after meals—quickly became part of her daily routine. Within three months, she saw improvements in her A1C levels. More importantly, she felt renewed motivation and confidence, allowing her to take control of her health rather than feeling controlled by it.
Personalized Support That Protects What Matters Most
For Vickie, staying healthy also means staying creative.
As President of the Textile Arts Guild of Richmond, sewing and embroidery are important parts of her life and well-being. When arthritis in her hands began making these activities more difficult, the PCN connected her with an Occupational Therapist for additional support.
Through one-on-one sessions, the Occupational Therapist took time to observe Vickie while she sewed and worked alongside her to improve posture, grip, and hand positioning. Small adjustments—and even simple tools such as a household chip clip to relieve hand tension after sewing—made a meaningful difference.
These solutions were practical, sustainable, and tailored to Vickie’s everyday life, helping her continue participating in the activities she loves.
Working Together for Better Patient Experiences
Vickie’s story reflects the heart of PCN care: listening first, working collaboratively, and supporting people to live well.
By bringing together family physicians, dietitians, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals, the Richmond PCN provides coordinated care that reflects each patient’s goals, values, and daily realities.
For Vickie, this approach meant improved confidence, better diabetes management, and the ability to continue pursuing the creative activities that enrich her life.
Help Richmond PCN Support You and Your Patients with Chronic Conditions
The Richmond Primary Care Network connects family physicians with multidisciplinary healthcare teams that help patients manage chronic conditions, improve their well-being, and continue doing the things that matter most to them.
Learn more about how the Richmond Primary Care Network can support your patients.