Module 1: Living Well With Diabetes

Outline:

• Introductions
• Ground rules
• Successes activity
• Managing diabetes
• Family support

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify examples of past successes in their own life (not related to diabetes).
• Name at least three actions a person can take to manage type 2 diabetes and plan to take one or more of those actions in the next week.

Suggested stories for this module:

• Jacquie’s Story C: Jacquie talks about growing up with type 1 diabetes and how it affected her as a teenager and young adult. (audio: about 6 minutes)
• It Takes a Family: The Clayton family works together to support their elderly father, who has diabetes. (video: about 3 minutes)

Handouts:

• Steps to Help You Stay Healthy
• How to Help a Loved One With Diabetes When You Live Far Apart

Key Messages

1. People with diabetes can manage their condition by taking small steps toward their goals.
2. It is important to have confidence and celebrate both big and small successes.
3. Knowing their ABCs and having a plan for managing them can help people with diabetes maintain optimal health.
4. Diabetes management is a team effort. Identifying one’s personal support circle and being able to ask for help can make all the difference.

Connecting Threads

Connecting Threads are topics that can be incorporated into New Beginnings sessions depending on the goals and needs of your participants.

Recommended Connecting Threads:

• Facilitating New Beginnings Online [PDF – 221 KB]
• Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Services [PDF – 178 KB]
• Building Social Connections in Family and Community Circles [PDF – 237 KB]

Going Virtual Tips

• Take a few minutes at the beginning of the session to explain the features of the video teleconferencing platform and the ground rules for virtual sessions. For example:
  • Mute video or phone when not speaking.
  • Say your name before speaking (especially on the phone).
  • Participants are not required to have or use a video camera.
    They can submit photos of themselves instead. This may make group members more comfortable.
• Instead of pairing off participants into the activities of this module, use the breakout room feature of your video teleconferencing platform (if available) or go around the “room” and have each participant share with the whole group. See the Connecting Thread: Facilitating New Beginnings Online [PDF – 221 KB] for ideas for adjusting activities for virtual groups.
  • The video stories for this module can be played by sharing your screen (and computer audio) through your video teleconferencing platform. Another option is to share the links to the videos with your group members by email before the session starts.
• The audio stories can be inserted into the New Beginnings PowerPoint template [PPT – 599 KB] along with images that reflect the story.