As part of the physical health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Programme, There are 14 Healthy Living Centers (CHLs).Purdue University offers multiple weekly diabetes programs throughout the year. Taking Control of My Diabetes (TCMD) is open to all benefits-eligible employees (and their dependents enrolled in a Purdue Health Plan) at West Lafayette/Indianapolis, Purdue Northwest and Purdue Fort Wayne. The program is for people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, or those supporting someone diagnosed with diabetes. The next session begins August 7th.
The 14-week virtual lifestyle management program will cover a variety of topics related to type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, with the goal of equipping participants with the knowledge and resources they need to manage their disease as best as possible. Throughout the program, participants will understand what diabetes is and how lifestyle changes can impact blood sugar management.
Pre- and post-program evaluations are needed to measure knowledge, beliefs, and satisfaction with the program.
Participants will have access to the specialized services of CHL’s health care professionals, including pharmacists with specialty training in medication therapy management and Cheryl Laszynski, an RN health coach. Jen Gregoryhealth coaches and CHL registered dietitians Megan Sidler and Jessica McKeever lead the program.
Eligible participants will be provided with a blood glucose meter and test strips to check their blood sugar levels.* Program participants may continue to receive blood glucose testing supplies after the program ends if they continue to meet with their health coach monthly.
Many of the program's past participants have seen improvements, including in their A1c, a blood test that measures a patient's blood sugar levels over the past three months.
Bruce Novak, a part-time instructor at Purdue Fort Wayne who has had type 2 diabetes for more than 10 years, said his experience with the course was exceptional and that he benefited from the expanded and enhanced knowledge he gained throughout the program.
“Diabetes never takes a break,” he says. “The more you learn and practice, the better you get. It's a constant battle.”
Two sessions are scheduled for the future, from August 7 to November 13 and from August 8 to November 14. Those who wish to participate should register by July 31. Healthy Boiler PortalThe registration link can be found on the Portal's homepage in the “Healthy Boiler Workshops” section. Hover your mouse over the “Taking Control of My Diabetes” box and click on the “i” info to register.
“I would highly recommend this class to anyone with diabetes or diagnosed with prediabetes,” says Lee Ann Griffin, senior quality advisor at the Regenstreif Center for Healthcare Engineering, who has lived with type 2 diabetes for nearly 20 years and previously participated in the TCMD program. “I thought I would benefit from a course that would remind me how to act like a diabetic by eating and cooking healthily, and I could use all the help I could get to motivate myself to exercise. Plus, I didn't even have a glucose meter anymore, and the class was giving me one for free, so I signed up. Knowledge is power, and this class gives me much-needed knowledge to properly manage my diabetes.”
Healthy Boiler workshops and lifestyle programs are provided free of charge to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and their dependents.
*People with type 1 diabetes can meet monthly with a health coach but are not required to participate in the 14-week Taking Control of My Diabetes program to receive test strips and a glucose meter. For more information, contact CHL at 765-494-0111.
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If you have any questions about the “Taking Control of My Diabetes” wellness program, please contact CHL at 765-494-0111.