The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University, in collaboration with Temple Health, recently wrapped up its Real World Diabetes course focused on diabetes education.
Launched in early January, Casey Dascher, RD, LDN, CDE, diabetes education coordinator with Temple University Hospital, taught the the free educational series. Over the course of five weeks, participants - TEI patients and members of the local community - learned healthy meal planning, ways to stay physically active, the importance of regular doctor’s visits and vital numbers to know about their diabetes.
“I always looked forward to coming to the classes because they [attendees] were full of energy and ready to learn,” Dascher said.
Each meeting had a consistent group of approximately 15 people. “They had great participation in each class,” she said.
The course was held at TEI’s Oak Lane campus from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. every Thursday in January, with a one month follow-up meeting on Thursday, February 28.
The follow-up meeting yielded great results, according to Dascher. Many of the participants continued to take charge of their diabetes on their own and signed up for Silver Sneakers® - a free fitness program for adults 65 years and older that is included with many Medicare Advantage plans, or joined their local YMCA for exercises classes and many continued to follow up with their doctors for appropriate blood tests to keep their diabetes in check.
Another Real World Diabetes class is in the works for June.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 29 million Americans have diabetes and one in four individuals don’t know they have it. In addition, those who suffer from diabetes are at a higher risk for serious eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These are just two of the reasons TEI partnered with Temple Health for an educational program to teach its patients about the important aspects of managing diabetes and tips for an overall healthier lifestyle.