Maine
Coast
Memorial Hospital
is offering a new class for people who
are at risk of developing diabetes or
have been told they are “pre-diabetic”.
Small Steps-Big Rewards is a
2-hour course, given by the Diabetic
Education Team to teach people the
positive steps they can take to help
them avoid or postpone the onset of
diabetes.
The course is open to the public.
Jan Watson, RN, will lead a lively
session on physical activity and Melissa
Frye, RD, will present ways to improve
diet.
“Ten years ago, we
only knew how to treat diabetes.
Now, we know it can be
prevented.”
Mary Jude, Registered Dietitian
and Certified Diabetes Educator at Maine
Coast Memorial Hospital, is passionate
about letting people know they can
reduce the risk of developing diabetes
by making small changes in their lives.
“The results of the
Diabetes Prevention Program demonstrated
that simple lifestyle changes can have a
big impact.
Participants were able to reduce
their risk of developing diabetes by 58%
through changes in diet and increased
exercise.
It’s so important to get this
information to people,” says Jude.
Maine’s Bureau
of Health estimates that 40% of people
age 40-74 have pre-diabetes.
Obesity, one of the major risk
factors for diabetes, is
Hancock
County’s
biggest health problem.
People with
pre-diabetes have blood sugar levels
that are higher than normal, but not
high enough to be diagnosed as diabetic.
Pre-diabetics have a 50% greater
risk of cardiovascular disease.
About 33% of pre-diabetics will
develop the full condition within 3
years.
Once diabetes sets
in, the problems mushroom and lead to
much higher rates of cardiovascular
disease, amputations, blindness, and
kidney disease. State estimates for people
diagnosed with diabetes is over 7%, but
for every 2 people diagnosed, it is
believed there is 1 who hasn’t been.
MCMH's Diabetes
Education Team Offers New Class for
people at risk of developing diabetes.
Above, Melissa Frye, RD, Jan Watson, RN,
Mary Jude,
RD, LD, CDE.
“It doesn’t really
make sense,” says Jude, “Most insurance
companies will pay for treatment after
someone’s been diagnosed with diabetes,
but won’t cover preventative
counseling.”
“My hope is that if
people know what they can do to avoid
diabetes, they will take those proactive
steps.
There’s so much people can do to
improve their health and protect the
quality of their lives.”
Pre-registration for
the class is required.
There is a fee of $10 which
covers instruction and take-home program
materials.
For more information, contact the
Diabetes Education Program at 664-5475.
Maine
Coast
Memorial Hospital
is the primary healthcare provider for
Hancock and western
Washington
counties.
The hospital system includes
primary, diagnostic, and rehabilitative
services facilities in Gouldsboro,
Southwest
Harbor, Somesville, and Ellsworth.
