Center for Healthy Living offering program focused on taking control of Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes

This program supports the physical health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program.

As part of the Healthy Boiler Program’s physical health pillar, the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue's West Lafayette campus offers an eight-week diabetes program multiple times throughout the year. "Taking Control of My Diabetes" is targeted to those living with Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The next session will begin Jan. 19.

The eight-week program covers 16 sessions – two per class meeting – on a variety of topics related to Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes with a goal of helping participants better manage their condition and live healthier lives. Participants have access to expert services of the center’s health care professionals, including CHL pharmacists who are specially trained in medication therapy management, as well as the two coaches who will lead the upcoming sessions:

• Cheryl Laszynski, registered nurse health coach (CHL).
• Megan Shidler, registered dietitian (CHL).

Eligible participants will receive a glucose meter and test strips to check their blood glucose levels.

“Those who participate will be provided with information, tools and resources to help them take control of and better manager their diabetes,” Laszynski says. “Type 2 diabetes is difficult to manage and involves many factors, including stress, nutrition, exercise and sleep, which will be discussed throughout the program.”

Many past participants in the program have seen improvement in their A1c, a blood test that measures a patient’s blood glucose level over the past three months.

Those interested in should register by Jan. 12 via the Healthy Boiler Portal. The registration link can be found under the “Healthy Boiler Workshops” section on the portal’s homepage. Once there, hover over the workshop’s button (also shown at right) and hit “Submit” to register.

Individuals living with Type 1 diabetes are able to meet monthly with a CHL health coach but are not required to participate in the eight-week “Taking Control of My Diabetes” program to take advantage of the test strips and blood sugar meter opportunity. Contact CHL for more information at 765-494-0111.

Healthy Boiler workshops are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan.