Oaklawn Center, CHI offer D.E.E.P. workshop
Oaklawn Center on Aging is partnering with the CHI St. Vincent Senior Center to promote diabetes awareness and motivate persons who have diabetes to sign up for a six-week Diabetes Empowerment Education Program, or D.E.E.P., workshop.
The D.E.E.P. workshop will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Fridays from Jan. 11 to Feb. 15 at the Oaklawn Center on Aging, 101 McGowan Court.
Call Oaklawn Center on Aging, 501-623-0020, to reserve a space.
The D.E.E.P. workshop teach
es about diabetes, how it affects the body, blood sugar levels and what they mean, how to use a glucometer, meal planning, setting goals for proper nutrition, physical activity, regular checkups with physicians, and consistent medication use. The workshop includes participant activities and sharing information with the group.
Nearly 13 percent of adults in the United States age 20 and older have diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly one-third of persons 65 years and older have diabetes. The disease brings with it the risk of other complications such as blindness, amputations of lower extremities, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke. The financial cost and the impact on patients' and families' lives are considerable, a news release said.
"Yet, the disease can be prevented and managed. Reducing the prevalence and managing the disease are a matter of education and effort on the part of the public, especially those more at risk for the disease. Hispanics, Native Americans and African-Americans are more at risk for the disease due to genetic and social factors," it said.
"The important element of the diabetes self-management classes is that they show participants how behavior change can allow them to continue living an active life with diabetes," the release said.
Society on 01/05/2019