Diabetes Education and Support

Getting healthy and staying healthy are critical to your well-being. At ECHN, we are committed to helping you on this journey by offering classes to help you create and maintain a healthy lifestyle. These classes are offered through our Diabetes Wellness Center, and though some of the programs specifically targeted at both preventing diabetes or managing an existing diagnosis, many others are open to anyone! Contact us for more information or to register for any of these programs: echn.org/blockdiabetes or 860.647.6824

Diabetes Wellness and Support

Prevent T2: ECHN’s Diabetes Prevention Program

Are you 45 years or older? Are you overweight Are you physically active less than 3 times a week? Do you have a family history of Type 2 Diabetes? Has your healthcare provider told you your blood sugars are “higher than normal”?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be at risk of having prediabetes and at considerable risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. We have a program that can help change that! ECHN’s Prevent T2 Program can help you make lasting lifestyle changes to prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes. Our program is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Diabetes Prevention Program and is proven to work.

CDC Science Based Curriculum:
CDC Research shows that people with prediabetes who take part in a doable structured lifestyle change program can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by at least 58 percent (71 percent for those aged 60 and older). Through the CDC developed lessons, materials, handouts, and other resources you will learn the skills needed to lower your blood sugar levels by losing weight, becoming more physically active, managing stress and much more.

A lifestyle coach, specially trained to lead the program:
Classes are led by trained lifestyle coaches who provide a supportive and fun environment to help you learn, develop, and sustain new healthy habits, encourage you to set and meet goals, keep you motivated and manage the stresses of life—all while lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

A support group of people with similar goals and challenges:
With your trained lifestyle coach as a guide, you will collaborate with other people just like you who have the same risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Together, you can share ideas and stories, try new things, celebrate successes, and work to overcome obstacles.

Only 24 Hours of your Life at LOW or NO cost to you!
This program is a year-long program with weekly meetings for the first 6 months, then once monthly for the second 6 months. It may even be free to you, as well as being a covered benefit in many health plans and Medicare. We offer convenient times in the morning, at lunch time and in the evening, both virtually and in person, with new classes starting every month, all throughout the year.

It’s not too late to take control of your health and prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Small changes make a big difference and can help you live a longer, healthier life. Now is the time to take charge of your health and make a change!

For specific dates and times of the program, to take a risk test to see if you qualify, or to register right away please visit echn.org/blockdiabetes or call 860.647.6842.

To qualify, you must be 18 years or older with a BMI of over 25 and have no previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Working Together to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: Resources and Information

Interested in learning how incorporate healthy lifestyle changes into your daily routine to avoid, prevent or delay T2 Diabetes? Join a trained Lifestyle Coach for a discussion on how to incorporate healthy lifestyle changes to help prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.

You will also learn about resources the Diabetes Wellness Center has available to you to prevent Type 2 diabetes, lose weight, be more physically active and other things with the help of a lifestyle coach.

Please Note: This session is NOT for those who have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

Tuesday, Jan.  17
6 – 7 p.m.
Live Webinar (Zoom)
Free

Monday, Feb. 27
12 – 1 p.m.
Live Webinar (Zoom)
Free

Thursday, Mar. 23
10 – 11 a.m.
Live Webinar (Zoom)
Free

Wednesday, Apr. 19
12 – 1 p.m.
Live Webinar (Zoom)
Free

Pre-registration is required.
To register, call 860.647.6824

Sweet Talk: Diabetes Support Group

Sweet Talk is ECHN’s Diabetes Support Group that welcomes anyone who has diabetes and would like to make connections with others living who live with diabetes every day. We welcome new members who are looking for support.

Third Tuesday of each month
12 – 1 p.m.
Diabetes Wellness Center
Free

To learn more or for questions, please call 860.647.6824

Strength and Stretch for Women

Come explore the benefits of strength training in a gentle, supportive environment! Improve your overall strength, balance, and flexibility while preventing injury and increasing your metabolism. Throughout this 8-week series we will explore simple strength-building exercises for the entire body, followed by stretches to improve flexibility and relax the body and mind. Recommended equipment: a chair and a light set of hand weights (household items such as cans of soup or bottles of water can be used instead).

Thursdays, Jan. 12 – Mar. 16
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Live Webinar (Zoom)
$59 per session

Thursdays, Mar. 30 – May 24
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Live Webinar (Zoom)
$59 per session

Pre-registration is required.
To register, call 860.647.6824

Tasty Table

Explore healthier, nutrient-rich versions of traditional foods as well as learn new options to bring to the table, all without sacrificing on flavor! Join our trained experts as they prepare and share delicious recipes and offer new tips and tricks for making healthy and delicious food easy to make at home. Maintaining our health can be easy, and delicious!

One Pot Wonders
Thursday, Feb. 9
6 – 6:45 p.m.
Live Webinar (Zoom)
Free

Upgrading your Snacks
Thursday, Apr. 20
6 – 6:45 p.m.
Live Webinar (Zoom)
Free

Pre-registration is required.
To register, call 860.647.6824