New Year's Resolution Tips for Employees Living with Diabetes

JUPITER, Fla., Dec. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees who live with diabetes can make a leap to improve their diabetic care in the new year by adding healthy list of specific steps to add to their New Year's Resolutions.

"A week or two before the New Year is the perfect time for employees to recommit to their plans to put their health first and control their diabetes," offered Dr. Janis DiMonaco, president and CEO, HMC HealthWorks, a premiere national provider of healthcare programs and chronic condition management headquartered in Jupiter, Florida.  "The New Year provides a fresh opportunity to reflect upon this last year's diabetic care efforts and make improvements where necessary."

The American Diabetes Association estimates every 19 seconds an individual is diagnosed with diabetes.  For individuals who are new to managing their condition, considering what successful resolutions will look like is key.  Measurable and specific goals that do not overwhelm an individual is important as small behavioral changes over time lead up to success, Dr. DiMonaco added.

When an employee is able to receive disease management education for a chronic condition via a benefit program, weight loss, improved lab numbers and a more positive outlook on life occur.  A series of small steps toward achieving a New Year's Resolution in improved diabetic care include:

• Calling the eye doctor to schedule an exam
• Following the schedule to check blood glucose levels
• Knowing your numbers – blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C
• Following the exact instructions for each diabetes medication taken
• Creating a plan in the event of a low or high blood glucose reaction
• Working with a diabetes educator on healthy meal planning and recipes

Other steps to follow on a daily basis include at least 30 minutes of exercise. Maintaining a healthy weight will help stabilize blood sugars.  Diabetes is a chronic condition when the body does not properly process food and turn the food into glucose and create energy.  In a non-diabetic person, the pancreas releases insulin to help the glucose get into the cells of the body.  In a diabetic person, the insulin production is not adequate or the cells within the body do not respond correctly to the insulin or both.

"An often overlooked and critical component to pursuing good diabetic health is care of one's teeth," explained Dr. DiMonaco.  "Visit your dentist at least twice a year, and watch for infections.  People with diabetes who participate in the high carbohydrate, high-sugar holiday environment, the high glucose levels in saliva could create problems with tooth enamel or lead to gum disease if not properly cared for."

About HMC HealthWorks

HMC HealthWorks, a premier national provider of population healthcare management programs, offers plan sponsors value-added programs including Integrated Clinical Solutions, Chronic Care Management, Behavioral Health Solutions, Wellness/Lifestyle Coaching, and Care Coordination.

For more information, please contact:

Christy Heady
Media Relations
HMC HealthWorks
(561) 972-9726
[email protected]

SOURCE HMC HealthWorks