In our daily work at the
Deaconess Diabetes Center, we help people with diabetes manage their illness, working together to prevent serious diabetes complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and nerve damage.
Many people may not know that type 2 diabetes can be prevented. That’s why we offer the Diabetes Prevention Program. It teaches meaningful lifestyle changes, offers practical education and positive, encouraging support for people who have risk factors for developing diabetes. The result is preventing – or at least delaying – the onset of diabetes, which leads to a longer, healthier life.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t respond to the insulin your body makes, and blood glucose (sugar) is consistently high. High blood sugar damages the entire body, leading to serious complications and even early death.
Type 2 is also the most common form of diabetes and usually develops in adults. Of all people who have diabetes, 9 out of 10 have type 2 and locally, about 11% of all adults have type 2 diabetes, and at least 1 in 3 is at risk for developing the condition.
Risk Factors for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
People who are most at risk for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes have many of the following traits:
• Obesity, especially extra weight around the middle
• Low activity levels
• Family history of diabetes
• History of gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)
• Over the age of 45
• Blood sugar readings that are gradually increasing
Diabetes can develop in those who don’t have these risk factors, but it’s most common in those who do.
Diabetes Prevention Program
The
Deaconess Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a year-long program recognized by the
Centers for Disease Control and the
American Diabetes Association. It is designed to help people who are at risk of type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes (and those who have been told they have higher than normal blood sugar levels) manage and improve their condition.
During the class, participants learn to identify, change and replace unhealthy habits that have been formed over the years. We offer practical education and positive, encouraging support.
Specific topics covered during the first half of the program include:
• Eating healthy without giving up favorite foods
• Adding physical activity into a hectic schedule
• Managing stress
• Coping with challenges that can easily derail good habits
• Choosing healthy food when eating out
• Getting back on track — because everyone slips now and then
The second half of the program reinforces the skills learned and concentrates on how to maintain the lifestyle changes already made. These sessions will review key ideas such as tracking food and physical activity, setting goals, staying motivated and overcoming barriers. The key to success is the continued accountability and the on-going group support that develops throughout the year.
Qualifications for the Diabetes Prevention Program
To qualify for the Deaconess Diabetes Prevention Program, individuals must have any of the risk factors listed above, or:
- Fasting blood glucose level of 100-125 (under 100 is normal; above 125 is considered diabetes)
- Diagnosed with glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia or metabolic syndrome
- A1C of 5.7% - 6.4% A1C is a 3-month “average” measurement of blood sugars with anything below 5.7 considered normal
- Family history of diabetes, along with being overweight or obese
What Does the Program Cost?
Great news for Medicare beneficiaries: this class is fully covered by Medicare! Deaconess employees and their spouses who participate in the Deaconess insurance plans are also fully covered for the class.
Other cost may vary, depending on insurance coverage.
The cost includes all class materials (including work books and educational resources that are yours to keep), as well as accountability, which is very valuable. Over the course of the year, there are 26 sessions.
Treating diabetes costs far more than preventing diabetes.
How to Join
If you meet the program qualifications above, please call us at
812-426-9895 to register for the next
Diabetes Prevention Program.