Swansea Rd Clinic’s procedure for assisting our patient’s involvement in the Life program

Many Australians, particularly those over 40 years of age are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes through lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and poor nutrition. Family history of Diabetes also plays a role, however, Diabetes 2 is a preventable illness. Whilst you cannot change risk factors like age & your genetic background, you can do something about lifestyle choices. You may be elible to attend a Lifestyle Modification Course. These course are designed for those at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and sessions are run locally through Eastern Medicare Local (21-23 Maroondah Highway, Croydon) & Lilydale- Give Life Centre (18 Wilsons Lane, Lilydale)

The Risk Assessment Tool is a good way to begin assessing whether you are at risk of developing Diabetes.

The Risk Assessment Tool can be found at www.diabeteslife.org.au  or call 13 RISK (13 7475) for more information

Some of our patients, who are over 40 years of age & whose medical history places them in a high risk category will receive the Risk Assessment Tool in the mail, however it is also available at Reception.

If patients who are 50 years & over score 12 or more on the risk assessment tool they should ring Sally or Renee at Eastern Medicare Local on ph 98711000 for advice and obtain information on the Life!program. This program includes lifestyle modification classes (Quality for Lifestyle group classes) or the Early Intervention classes for individual guidance (Ranges Community Health)

Eastern Medicare Local  is a provider for the Life!Taking action on Diabetes program which has its next course commencing on the 7th September at 10am in Croydon. This pre diabetes education program is for people who are 40 years of age & over and are determined as high risk by the AUSDRISK tool which can be found at the surgery. It is run over an eight month period & involves six sessions with a trained facilitator through Diabetes Australia Victoria. Participants have access to a range of health professionals including an accredited diabetes educator, exercise physiologist, a dietician and the course is FREE for everyone. For further information please call Sally Ingram at Eastern Medicare Local on 98711000

These Life!courses have been shown to prevent or reduce the onset of type 2 diabetes by up to 58%. The course consists of 6 sessions (run at varying times during the week)  over an 8 month period & it consists of small groups run by a health professionals that will cover such topics as:

• Increasing motivation for sustainable lifestyle change via action plans & goal setting
• Healthy eating
• Increasing physical activity
• The importance of regular medical care