Regional YMCA of Western CT will offer The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program – an innovative program proven to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes – at Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association (RVNA) in downtown Ridgefield beginning in February.
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program uses a CDC-approved curriculum and is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The year-long program, which will meet on Tuesdays starting February 7th at 11:00 am or 6:30 pm, consists of 16 weekly sessions and three sessions every other week during the first six months followed by six monthly sessions in the second six months. A trained lifestyle coach helps participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes. The goals during the program are to reduce body weight by 7% and to increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week during the first half of the program.
The program is held in a group setting and this session will be led by trained lifestyle coach Barbara Newland, RVNA’s Director of Community Health & Wellness. Programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program have been shown to prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent and as much as 71 percent in adults over the age of 60.
“Currently, 86 million people - more than 1 out of 3 adults - have prediabetes,” said Lisa O’Connor, YMCA’s Wellness Coordinator and Diabetes Prevention Program Coordinator. “The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program empowers participants, who have or are considered at risk of developing prediabetes, to make lasting lifestyle changes that will improve their overall health and reduce their chance of developing Type 2 diabetes,” she explained.
People who have already been diagnosed with diabetes are not eligible for the Diabetes Prevention Program.
Information session attendees are eligible to receive a free test of their blood glucose level at the conclusion of the information sessions. “Only 10 percent of the 86 million people with prediabetes know that they have it,” said O’Connor. “Knowing your risk for prediabetes is the key to taking control of your health.” Lifestyle coaches from the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program will be onsite during the blood tests, which will be administered by RVNA nurses, to discuss results and answer questions about the program.
Registration is required for the information sessions, and anyone with interested in attending or asking questions should contact Lisa O'Connor, Regional YMCA Program Coordinator at 203.775.4444 ext. 135 or loconnor@regionalymca.org.
About RVNA
Founded in 1914, RVNA is an accredited non-profit Medicare-certified home healthcare agency that also supports public health and safety, and promotes the highest quality of life.RVNA provides compassionate care to all individuals, whether young or old, through a continuum of care that encompasses health care at home and in the community. RVNA also provides home health aides and companionship through a non-medical subsidiary called HomeCare by RVNA, and provides out-patient physical therapy and other rehabilitation therapies through Rehab by RVNA.
To Contact RVNA
Call RVNA at 203-438-5555. Visit RVNA at www.ridgefieldvna.org.