March 24, 2023
American Diabetes Alert Day is March 28; resources available all year for those with diabetes
American Diabetes Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday of March – this year it’s March 28. Sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the risks and symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes in the U.S.
ADA has a variety of tools and resources, including these tools to help individuals know their risk:
Additionally, as part of the Healthy Boiler Program’s focus on physical health, Purdue offers the following programs and resources, which can be helpful to those with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes (and type 1 diabetes) at no-cost to benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan:
- Health coaching – Health coaching is a confidential and supportive partnership between an individual and the health coach and can be an effective way to motivate and encourage behavior change to help meet wellness goals, including managing type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. Note: Health coaches are available on the West Lafayette, Hammond (Northwest) and Fort Wayne campuses; appointments can be held virtually and in-person. Regardless of where an employee works, they can schedule with any of the health coaches.
To schedule an appointment call 765-494-0111 (to schedule with health coaches Cheryl A. Laszynski, Whitney Soto or Felicia Warfield at the CHL locations) or 260-481-6651 (to schedule with Lindsay Bloom, health coach at Purdue Fort Wayne).
- HealthKick – HealthKick is a 6-week virtual education program which addresses physical activity, nutrition, creating healthy habits and decreasing stress. The goal of this program is to increase education surrounding nutrition and develop healthy habits over 6-weeks to last a lifetime. The next session takes place May 1 through June 9. Registration is due by April 24 via the Healthy Boiler Portal.
- Medication therapy management (MTM) – MTM is offered through the pharmacists (Chelsea Baker, Jamie Woodyard and Trexie Rudd) at the CHL and provides assistance to those using multiple medications such as identifying drug interactions, helping with side effects and more, which can be useful for those taking insulin and other type 2 diabetes medications and more. To schedule an appointment, call 765-494-0111 or use the patient portal.
- Pivio – The Complete Health Improvement Program – formally referred to as CHIP – is a virtual, plant-based lifestyle intervention program, which focuses on whole person health. The next session takes place May 16 through August 8. Registration is due by April 12 via the Healthy Boiler Portal.
- Registered dietitian services – Dietitian services are offered through the registered dietitians (Megan Shidler and Jessica McKeever) at the CHL and will help develop a plan of action for nutritional changes that could improve an individual’s health, taking into consideration their wants, needs and medical conditions. To schedule an appointment, call 765-494-0111 or use the patient portal.
- Taking Control of My Diabetes – This 14-week virtual lifestyle management class, facilitated by Lindsay Bloom, health coach at Purdue Fort Wayne, is tailored for those living with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes and will explain what type 2 diabetes is and the role nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management have on influencing blood glucose levels. Participants are provided with a glucose monitor and testing supplies as well as other educational materials. Program participants can continue to receive glucose testing supplies post-program if they continue to meet with a health coach on a monthly basis.
The program is designed for benefits-eligible employees and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan who are living with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Benefits-eligible employee who are supporting someone with a type 2 or pre-diabetes diagnosis also are welcome to join.
The next session runs May 4 through August 3. Registration is due by April 20 via the Healthy Boiler Portal.
Note: 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 the CHL for more information at 765-494-0111.
Learning opportunities
Additionally, more information about prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is available via the Healthy Boiler Portal. The University section of the portal offers several “Prediabetes And Diabetes” (which are more specific to type 2 diabetes not type 1 diabetes) courses to help increase individuals’ knowledge about the disease. Courses include:
- A Guide to Prediabetes
- Diabetes Complications
- How to Take Control of Diabetes
- Living with Diabetes
- Prediabetes and Diabetes Overview
Questions
Questions about any of the no-cost wellness programs and services can be directed to the CHL at 765-494-0111.
