Peer Power Important in Diabetes Self-Management

Realizing that you are not alone in the coping with management of diabetes is an important component in the successful control of blood glucose levels.  Knowing that others have the day-to-day challenges that you experience is an important component to diabetes self-management.  It can be that extra little push to see that you are not alone and that you can do it.  Peer groups can and do play an important support role for those with diabetes.  We invite you to join us for the next session of Control Diabetes for Life on Monday June 8.  Control Diabetes for Life can become your peer/support group.

Science agrees that peers can help one another cope with a disease.  Research has found empathetic support also improves overall mental health and quality of life, reduces depression and anxiety, and boosts problem-solving abilities.  Peer support empowers people with chronic diseases to take steps toward improving their own health.  People are influenced by peers to take on the behaviors by their peers to take on the behaviors they should.  “If your doctor tells you that you have to walk 150 minutes a week that seems like a pretty steep order.  But if a friend tells you that they walk 150 to 200 minutes a week, that makes you feel like you can also make and complete such a commitment.

Much research on peer support have involved people with diabetes and the findings are significant.  According to a recent report by the National Peer Support Collaborative Learning Network, of 20 studies on peer support and diabetes published between 2000 and 2012, all but one found social support to be beneficial.

Fitting diabetes into your lifestyle is the key message today. Diabetes does not have to dictate how you live.  University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension and Franciscan Care Services invite you and your family members to participate in a new and exciting diabetes educational program. The series of programs is being offered via two-way interactive distance education. Participants will learn about current issues related to diabetes from educators with over 25 years of team-teaching experience.

Monday, June 8, is the second of three programs in the 2015 Control Diabetes for Life series. Topics that will be addressed during the two-hour program are: Healthy Coaches Here to Help You; Summertime Snack Fun; and Food Safety for Those with Diabetes along with other helpful hints. Participants will sample a new recipe for a diabetic appropriate food. Team-teaching the program will be Deborah Willcox, R.D., L.M.N.T., and Stacie Petersen, B.S.N. and Certified Diabetes Educator both of Franciscan Care Services in West Point and Debra Schroeder, UNL Extension Educator in Cuming County.

Participants have the opportunity to attend the program from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the distance learning classroom at the Tekamah Herman Public High School.

“Control Diabetes for Life” is a joint project of University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Franciscan Care Services of West Point and the schools hosting the presentation. The program is offered free-of-charge. “Control Diabetes for Life” will help participants learn to control diabetes and prolong the onset of complications from the disease. These sessions are designed to supplement the education that you receive from your local diabetes education team and are not a substitute for diabetes classes through your local health care providers.

Participants are asked to pre-register for “Control Your Diabetes for Life” by calling the Nebraska Extension office in Burt County at 402/374-2929. Please register by Friday, June 5, so the proper number of handouts may be prepared. Nebraska School Food Service Association has approved this session for two hours of continuing education credits for food service staff attending.

Control your diabetes for life!  Start by attending the June 8 distance education program.  Call today to register!

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu