Pelham Medical Center and Senior Action are collaborating to bring diabetes awareness and education to the Upstate.
PMC and Senior Action are kicking off the Impact Diabetes partnership at Senior Action at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14 in Greenville. Senior Action is a non-profit organization that provides programs and services for senior citizens in the Upstate including health and wellness programs, transportation and social events.
Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in South Carolina. One of every five patients in a South Carolina hospital has diabetes, and one in every 10 emergency room visit is diabetes-related.
"Pelham Medical Center is pleased with the opportunity to partner with Senior Action as we make strides together to impact diabetes in the senior community," said PMC community education and outreach coordinator, Toni Conner. "South Carolina ranks tenth in the nation with the percentage of population with diabetes. That incidence is even higher in the senior population where almost 26 percent of seniors 65 and older have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes. Our desire is to assist our seniors in making positive changes that will result in better control of this disease and prevent the development of the disease in those not yet affected."
The partnership for Impact Diabetes will include a seven-week diabetes workshop, several interactive seminars, a diabetes support group and health education materials. Each group will be led by certified diabetes educators.
Diabetes is a serious disease and often leads to further complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, strokes and amputations. High blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels are frequent. Diabetes has a significant impact on public health and medical care. In 2011, diabetes affected 25.8 million people in the United States with an additional 7 million undiagnosed cases, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.
"Senior Action works every day to ensure improved quality of life for seniors living in Greenville County. In a recent study, 60 percent of our members said they are living with diabetes-related health issues," Senior Action’s Executive Director, Andrea Smith said. "We are so grateful that Pelham Medical Center is providing the resources needed to address this critical need for seniors."
Senior Action members will have the opportunity to sign up as part of the Impact Diabetes team at the Friday launch.
If you are 55 or over and would like to join Senior Action and Impact Diabetes, call 864-467-3660.
Located in Greer, Pelham Medical Center is part of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.