The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands Community Outreach Kit

Power to Control Campaign Resources

Power to Control Talking Points for Community Presentations

NDEP Contact Information: www.YourDiabetesInfo.org; 1-888-693-NDEP (6337)

Key Statistics

• Nearly 24 million Americans – almost 8 percent of the population – have diabetes.
• 23 percent of Americans age 60 or older have diabetes – that’s more than 12 million older adults.
• Factors that have contributed to the increase in diabetes: 
  1. People with diabetes are living longer, which affects the prevalence rates.
  2. There are more people in the “higher risk groups” such as older adults and those of certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans.
  3. Unhealthy lifestyles, such as not being physically active and not making healthy food choices, have led to increased overweight and obesity, which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Four Key Steps to Managing Your Diabetes

1. Learn about diabetes.
   • You may have heard people say they have “a touch of diabetes” or “your sugar is a little high.” These words suggest that diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct. Diabetes is serious, but you can learn to manage it.
   • Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not make or use insulin well. People with type 2 diabetes often need to take pills or insulin to help manage their blood glucose.    
   • If you manage your diabetes, it can help you feel better and stay healthy. Keeping your blood glucose close to normal lowers your chances of having heart, eye, kidney, and nerve disease.

   • All people with diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, and be physically active every day.

2. Know your diabetes ABCs (A1C, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol).
   • People with diabetes are at high risk for having a heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death for people with diabetes. In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.
   • The A1C test measures your average blood glucose level over the past three months. Have your A1C level checked at least twice a year. The goal for most people with diabetes is an A1C below 7.  
   • High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. Have your blood pressure checked at each visit with a health care professional. The goal for most people with diabetes is below 130/80.

   • LDL, or bad cholesterol, builds up and clogs your arteries. Have your health care professional check your cholesterol at least once a year. The LDL goal for most people is less than 100.

3. Manage your diabetes.
   • Work with your health care team to develop a diabetes meal plan to help you make healthy food choices. Visit your local senior center to meet people at lunch who may share your interest in learning more about the importance of eating healthy.
   • Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Brisk walking is a great way to move more.
   • Stay at a healthy weight by using your meal plan and moving more. 
   • If you smoke, get help to quit. 

   • Take your medications even when you feel good.   

4. Get routine care to avoid problems. See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any complications early.
   1. At each visit, be sure to have a blood pressure check, foot check, weight check, and a review of your self-care plan.
   2. At least two times a year, have an A1C test. It may be checked more often if it’s over 7.
   3. Once a year, be sure to have a cholesterol test, triglyceride test (a type of blood fat), complete foot exam, dental exam to check teeth and gums, dilated eye exam, flu shot, and urine and blood test to check for kidney problems.
   4. Once a year, get a flu shot.
   5. Record this information and your goal for good diabetes self-management and keep information at home to keep a record of any changes.

Medicare Benefits for People with Diabetes

• Medicare helps pay for diabetes self-testing equipment and supplies, including blood glucose meters, test strips, and lancets.
• Medicare covers diabetes self-management training and medical nutrition therapy services.
• Medicare also helps pay for other services for people with diabetes who have Medicare Part B. Ask your health care team about obtaining these services: A1C test, dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye diseases, glaucoma screening, flu shot, and pneumococcal pneumonia shot
• Medicare Part B covers diabetes screening tests for certain people who are at risk for diabetes. People at risk for diabetes may have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, or a history of high blood glucose. Medicare allows up to two screenings a year.
• For more information about Medicare’s coverage of diabetes screening, supplies, and self-management training, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov.
   

NDEP Contact Info

To learn more about diabetes self-management, contact the National Diabetes Education Program at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org or call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337) and download or order free copies of The Power to Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands and 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life. brochures.

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