West Cook YMCA, AgeOptions Collaborate to Address Diabetes Prevention

Submitted by West Cook YMCA.

As winter begins, when many people reduce physical activity and holiday food options are everywhere, it can be a challenging time for persons trying to keep prediabetes or diabetes in check.

Two local non-profit organizations, the West Cook YMCA and AgeOptions, a group that assists older adults with resources and service options so they can live life to the fullest, are partnering to call attention to the need to help adults of all ages control prediabetes or diabetes.

“It’s estimated that over 86 million American adults have prediabetes, a condition in which a person’s blood glucose is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes,” said Phillip Jiménez, President, CEO of the West Cook YMCA. The West Cook YMCA serves Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Bellwood, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, River Grove and Stone Park.

“The disease typically shows no signs or symptoms; however, diagnosis does not always lead to type 2 diabetes. Through small lifestyle changes, patients can improve not only their health, but also the health of their loved ones.

“This is an excellent time for people to gauge their risk for diabetes and to talk to their doctors,” according to Jiménez.

“Of the 86 million people with prediabetes, only 9 million know their condition. In addition to the high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, people are also at risk of developing other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and hypertension,” said Maria Oquendo-Scharneck, Health & Diversity Coordinator, AgeOptions.

To address the issue, the West Cook YMCA is offering the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, a year-long evidence based program that focuses on improving lifestyle habits and behavioral choices in an attempt to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Sessions take place in a small group setting, facilitated by certified Lifestyle Coaches.

AgeOptions offers three “Take Charge of Your Health” program options for older adults: a Diabetes Basic and a Plus program along with our basic Take Charge of Your Health, said Oquendo-Scharneck.

The “Take Charge of Your Diabetes Basic” program is a seven- week workshop consisting of weekly two-and-a-half hour sessions led by two certified facilitators for people.

The “Take Charge of Your Diabetes Plus” program is eight weeks of two-and-a-half hour sessions led by a registered dietician. This program, which requires participants to be referred by their doctor and to have Medicare or other insurance, is accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

The Take Charge of Your Health program is a six week workshop consisting of weekly two and a half hour sessions led by two certified facilitators for people with any ongoing health conditions.

AgeOptions workshops are scheduled quarterly throughout suburban Cook County based on participant demand.

The first year-long session at the West Cook YMCA will begin December 1 and there are places open for qualified adults, Jiménez said.

Adults, 18 years or older who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or more and who are at risk for or who have been diagnosed with prediabetes, will be eligible to participate in the YMCA program.

The cost for the year-long program is $429, with scholarships and subsidies available to qualified candidates to offset the cost, Jiménez said.

AgeOptions diabetes and chronic disease programs for older adults are currently free to Cook County residents .

“Prediabetes is a nationwide concern that affects the entire family. Fortunately the condition can be addressed through programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program,” said Jiménez.

“The Y is one of the few organizations in the country with the reach and experience to help people make the necessary behavior changes to improve their health, and the health of their entire family,” he said.

The program is available at more than 1,300 sites in 43 states throughout the country. To date, nearly 38,000 people participated in the yearlong program that features a lifestyle coach who helps participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes during 25 one-hour sessions.

During the first 16 weeks of the West Cook YMCA Diabetes Prevention program, participants will work toward a goal of a 7 percent body weight reduction and building up to 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

Following the initial intensive 16-week period, participants will meet in eight monthly sessions with a lifestyle coach to report and measure progress.

Programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program have shown to prevent or delay new cases of type 2diabetes by 58 percent and as much as 71 percent in adults over the age of 60.

The basis for YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that showed how eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight could lead to better health in participants and an overall reduction of new type 2 diabetes cases.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program uses a CDC-approved curriculum and is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program.

Take Charge of Your Diabetes is an evidence-based program developed by Stanford University Patient Education Research Center. Participant results have shown improvement in health outcome, better quality of life and reduced disease complications.