Open to residents with type 2 diabetes and caregivers

 

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month -- a time to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and control.

To enable Somerset County residents to learn about diabetes, the Somerset County Health Department and Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services have partnered to offer free diabetes self-management workshops.

The six-week interactive course focuses on diabetes self-management for individuals with type 2 diabetes and their caregivers. Participants will learn techniques for dealing with a variety of diabetes symptoms.  They also will learn how to improve strength and endurance, work effectively with health care providers, prevent or delay complications and eat healthfully.

Having diabetes means that there is too much sugar (called glucose) in your blood. There are several types of diabetes -- pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease.

“Diabetes is an ever-growing epidemic that is facing our nation, with 24 million people living with diabetes and 57 million more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” said Freeholder Mark Caliguire, public health and safety liaison.  “Workshops like this one can be very helpful in presenting lifestyle changes that can help mitigate the disease or even prevent it from developing.

“Over time, if not controlled, type 2 diabetes can cause serious health problems, such as  heart disease, stroke and blindness,” he said.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight; exercising less than three times a week; being over 45 years of age; having high blood pressure or high cholesterol; having  a parent, brother or sister with diabetes; or being  of African American, Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American or Pacific Islander descent.

“To lower your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, eating healthful foods, becoming more physically active and controlling your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol are important goals to strive to achieve,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Peter S. Palmer, human services liaison.

County residents are encouraged to follow the Somerset County Health Department on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SCHealthDept for timely information about programs and ways to stay healthy.

For more information about this evidence-based program that complies with the American Diabetes Association and American Association of Diabetes Educators, contact the Somerset County Health Department at 908-231-7155.