A program that helps people manage diabetes has filled an unexpected role. By helping participants adapt to the new virtual format, trainers are also helping them stay connected during the pandemic.
Vicky Palmreuter is a Master Trainer for Better Choices Better Health, which offers educational workshops for people with pre- or Type 2 diabetes. She says the program helps people set goals to manage their symptoms through diet, stress-management, and more.
“Most people use a combination of those strategies, and that helps them remain healthy, remove those early complications. That really seems to be the most effective: using a combination of strategies like diet and exercise.”
Workshops used to be limited to face-to-face meetings, but that changed when the pandemic forced the workshop online. Palreuter says program leaders began offering an optional session just to help participants learn the video-chat software Zoom. She says the benefits spread beyond diabetes management.
“Sometimes it helps people connect with their loved ones they haven’t been able to connect with. So we’re sort of doing them a service by helping them with technology so they can join these workshops, but then the technology also helps in their connections to help with the feeling of isolation and loneliness.”
The next Better Choices Better Health Diabetes Workshop begins in January. Participants can register at GoodAndHealthySD.org.
-Contact SDPB reporter Jackie Hendry by email.
