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Niagara County Department of Health offering free diabetes programs

Mon, Nov 7th 2016 10:25 am

By the Niagara County Department of Health

Self-Management Workshops

The Niagara County Department of Health nursing division, in partnership with the Niagara County Office for the Aging, is offering free diabetes self-management workshops throughout Niagara County. The workshop series is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Trott Access Center, 1001 11th St., Niagara Falls.

This six-week program runs from 1-3:30 p.m. and is for people who have diagnoses of diabetes. The program has demonstrated proven health benefits and complements diabetic medical management people receive from their providers.

Participants will enhance skills to maintain active and fulfilling lifestyles by improving problem-solving and decision-making. They will learn to address the challenges of living with diabetes. Workshop topics also include improving food choices, increasing physical activity, and practicing coping skills to maintain nutrition and a healthy weight.

Individuals with diabetes or caregivers of persons with diabetes can register for the diabetes self-management workshop program by calling NY Connects through the Office for the Aging at 716-438-3030 or by contacting the Niagara County Department of Health nursing division at 716-278-1900. Groups or organizations interested in scheduling diabetes self-management workshops or chronic disease self-management workshops should call the Niagara County Department of Health nursing division.

Prevention Program Workshops

The Niagara County Department of Health nursing division, once again in collaboration with the Niagara County Office for the Aging, is offering a free diabetes prevention program beginning Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Trott Access Center. This 16-week program takes place from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and is for people who are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Classes are scheduled in consecutive weekly sessions, then once a month for six to eight months.

Program participants will learn the skills they need to make lasting changes in health behaviors such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active and managing stress.

People with pre-diabetes (those with a higher-than-normal fasting blood glucose - sugar of 100-125 mg/dl) are five to 15 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. Many people with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within three years if they do not take steps to prevent it.

This program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of Type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes.

If your doctor has told you you're pre-diabetic or you have one or more of the following risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, call the Niagara County Department of Health nursing division at 716-278-1900 to register for a workshop.

Risk factors for diabetes include a history of one or more of the following:

  • Gestational diabetes
  • Giving birth to an infant weighing 9 pounds or greater
  • Being overweight with a body mass index of 24 or greater
  • Family member with diabetes

If your group or organization is interested in scheduling a free diabetes prevention program, a diabetes self-management workshop or a chronic disease self-management workshop, call the Niagara County Department of Health nursing division at 716-278-1900.

The information in this press release represents the views and opinions of the Niagara County Department of Health.

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