Diabetes Awareness Week

The United Nations World Diabetes Awareness Day on Saturday 14th November, kicked off the Diabetes Awareness Week.  You may have seen people around the rohe wearing bright yellow t-shirts to promote the message to Beeeeee Healthy.  The statement for the week was "Diabetes can sneak up on you at any time! So get checked".

Te Tohu O Te Ora O Ngati Awa have a Community Diabetes Service with Judy Dalgity (RN) providing screening and education in the community.  We celebrated Diabetes Awareness Week with the following acitivites:

Diabetes Screening in the Workplace:
Judy Dalgity and Pare OBrien, both registered nurses, provided a diabetes screening service at Bunnings and Mitre 10.  There were a number of workplaces that also opted to have screening. 

This type of initiative allows people who are normally too busy to get checked or attend a clinic, the opportunity to be screened.  Community Based services are beneficial in catching those whanau who sometimes would normally not present to their GP.

Diabetes Screening in the Opotiki Community:
A screening service is available regularly in Opotiki.

Tai Chi:
A Tai Chi demonstration was held at the Whakatane Library Quadrangle on Friday morning of Diabetes Awareness Week.  Judy Dalgity is the Tai Chi instructor, promoting healthy activity for those with Diabetes.  Practising Tai Chi has proven to be beneficial for participants physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Regular Tai Chi sessions are run by Judy.

If you are interested in Diabetes Screening or Education in your workplace or require further information on our Community Diabetes Nurse Service , contact our office between 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday on 07 307 1472.  Alternatively you can contact us via email from our website.