Gene S.

Education Provides Motivation in Managing Diabetes

It takes practice and commitment to successfully manage diabetes every day. And since 90 percent of diabetes management involves self-care, Gene S. knows that education can help him be the best self-manager possible. “If you manage diabetes well, you can live a long and healthy life,” he says.

Diabetes is a Family Disease and Family Affair

At 85 years young, Gene has been living with diabetes for 20 years. Diabetes runs in his family, and both his mother and brother died from complications from the disease.

“Even with a family history of diabetes, I was still surprised when I was diagnosed,” says Gene.

“At the time of my diagnosis, I attended a diabetes seminar but didn’t feel I got much from it.” Twenty years later he wanted to get updated information after learning about the Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program offered by Sun Health at the Grace Bible Church. Best of all, his health insurance covered the cost.

Knowing the Why Behind Diabetes Management

“I think one of the plusses of DSME is that it explained not only what I should be doing, how I should be doing it, but also WHY I should be doing it,” says Gene. “Knowing the why gives me more motivation.”

He believes that being active is an important aspect of diabetes management. Gene walks regularly, and after taking the Sun Health DSME he was also motivated to join a gym.

“I’ve been focusing on walking, going to the gym, and knocking down carbohydrates,” he says. “I’ve lost nine pounds since attending the DSME classes.”

Why He Recommends the Sun Health DSME Program

Gene’s advice to other diabetics would be to attend a class like DSME. “I don’t think there’s anything better, whether you’re newly diagnosed or were diagnosed in the past 20 years,” he says. “It’s important for any diabetic to have that kind of useful information.

Sun Health’s DSME program can help you with the daily, practical skills of managing diabetes, no matter what stage you’re in or what type of diabetes you have. For more information about any of Sun Health’s diabetes, pre-diabetes and chronic disease services and programs, please call the Center for Health & Wellbeing at (623) 471-9355 or visit SunHealthWellness.org/Diabetes.