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November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. Synergy Health & Wellness (“Synergy”) is dedicated to educating those affected by the disease locally with a free community workshop on November 9, 2019 from 10am to 11:30am at the Deschutes Public Library. Titled, “Navigating Diabetes Distress,” the workshop is designed for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes or affected by a family member or loved one who battles the disease.
An estimated 30 million, or 9.4 percent of Americans, have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Currently, 1.25 million Americans have Type I diabetes and 40,000 people will be diagnosed with it this year. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. Diabetes occurs at every age, in people of every race and of every shape and size. While some people can control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to help manage it. That is where “diabetes distress” can take a toll on those affected.
“Treating diabetes can cause extreme emotional and physical burden to those fighting the disease as well as loved ones around them,” says Rita Shearer, community diabetes expert, RN, CDE at Synergy. “Our goal at the workshop is to build a community for those affected and provide tools for addressing the emotional and behavioral aspects of the disease.”
What the Navigating Diabetes Distress workshop will cover:
- Emotional distress around diabetes (“diabetes distress”)
- Struggles with how to fit diabetes into your life
- Behavioral strategies that can help people stay on track with their treatment or get back on track, and even thrive with diabetes
- Real life tips and tools for recognizing and moving through the emotional aspects of diabetes.
Shearer will host the forum. She has more than 25 years of experience as a Certified Diabetes Educator and Insulin Pump trainer in both the outpatient and inpatient hospital setting. She is a well-known and long-standing supporter of the Type 1 Community in Central Oregon and also serves people with Type 2 and Gestational diabetes.
RSVP at synergybend.as.me/diabetesmonth by November 4, 2019. Space is limited, register early.
synergyhealthbend.com • 541-323-3488
