Copley Presents Classes for Those With or Affected by DiabetesFor immediate release09/14/2009
Diabetes is a serious yet manageable disease. Copley Hospital can help with a series of free monthly classes for anyone recently diagnosed, living with, or affected (caregivers) by diabetes. Classes, led by Certified Diabetes Educators, Loretta Schneider, RN and Nancy Wagner, RD address the basics from taking care of yourself and learning what to eat, to the opportunity to speak with and ask questions to someone who is living successfully with diabetes. The series concludes with a session on moving beyond and living a happy and healthy life with diabetes. Classes are scheduled to begin September 24th and will run through December 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. To learn more or to register for these popular classes call Copley Hospital’s Wellness Center at 888-8369.
In the United States there are 23.6 million children and adults who have diabetes - that’s nearly 8% of the population. While the causes of diabetes continue to be a mystery, factors such as obesity and the lack of exercise appear to play roles.
Wagner explains that the term diabetes refers to how your body uses blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar. She describes glucose as a vital resource to your health because it's the main source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. “If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood,” she said. As a result, the amount of glucose in the blood increases while the cells are starved for energy. If not controlled, diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure and blindness. “The longer diabetes goes on without treatment, the greater its potential for harm,” continued Wagner.
Wagner explains that the goal of these classes is to provide participants with the tools and resources in order to live a healthy lifestyle and feel better, stating “The message we hope participants walk away with is that yes, while it’s easy to become overwhelmed by your diabetes and all that comes along with it, you can also break that mind set and learn that living with diabetes is achievable.”
Although classes are free, class size is limited, so please pre-register. Wagner noted that classes are scheduled September 24, October 22, November 12 and December 3 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Copley Terrace in Morrisville.
Copley’s Diabetes Education team works in coordination with your physician to help you better manage your diabetes.
Contact Information
Nancy Wagner
Certified Diabetes Educator
Copley Hospital
802-888-8226
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