TAKE CHARGE^® Lifestyle IQ^™

The Take Charge^® program is designed to enhance the pharmacist's status as a health care provider. The pharmacist serves as an educator, motivator, monitor and guide as the patient, through trial and error, learns and implements lifestyle changes that improve their health and well-being.

The program begins as the pharmacist gathers information from the patient about their personal and family health history and existing lifestyle habits through our Lifestyle IQ^™ profile. Also during the first visit, anthropometric measurements and ELG body composition readings are taken using a state-of-the-art hand held body fat analyzer in order to get a starting point for the patient.

On the second visit, the pharmacist provides the patient with a full color Lifestyle IQ^™ Evaluation printout (access to example available after registering) based on their personal lifestyle profile information, their ELG readings and other measurements. This report provides the patient with valuable information on their health regarding potential risk for acquiring lifestyle associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, arthritis and more. It also serves as a reference and motivational tool for reaching their individual goal throughout the entire program.

At each weekly visit, the patient is provided with educational materials that address a specific element of lifestyle change. Through these manuals and interaction with their pharmacist, the patient is slowly guided through necessary changes in their lifestyle habits by a hands on trial and error method that allows the patient to see first hand that they can make changes and that these changes have a positive impact on their health.

At the end of the 26 week program, the pharmacist reviews progress with the patient and works with them to establish a plan for continuing or maintaining their success. The patient and pharmacist may elect to continue meeting weekly, bi-weekly or monthly in order to continue progress toward their ultimate goal or if the patient has already reached their goal, maintaining the results.