January - March 2020

The human body normally has two kidneys. These fist-sized organs are located in the back part of the abdomen, just below the rib cage, on either side of the spine. Their primary function is to filter the blood and remove waste from the body. The kidneys also help maintain the proper fluid balance in the body. Diabetic nephropathy is a term for kidney damage that occurs as a result of high blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar interferes with the kidney’s ability to filter correctly. When the kidney is compromised, protein leaks into the urine, and this is a symptom that indicates the kidneys are not functioning as they should. Tina Elmlinger, Serving Our Senior’s Health Educator, teaches the DEEP course (Diabetes Empowerment Education Program) throughout the year at different locations around Erie County. The course includes easy-to-understand information and hands on activities to help older adults manage their diabetes. As participants learn about how diabetes impacts their bodies, they become motivated to take steps to keep their blood sugar within a normal range. Along with his wife Judy, Harry McCune took the DEEP course and remarked, “I liked the interaction that took place in the classes. I learned anatomy and physiology. I learned about the relationship between the liver and the pancreas. The whole course was a great refresher for me. Everything was explained so well.” One fourth of Erie County’s older adults are diabetic. The DEEP program is a free, six-week training program to benefit individuals who: • have a family history of diabetes, • are pre-diabetic or the spouse or caregiver of a pre-diabetic, • are an insulin dependent diabetic or a spouse/ caregiver of an insulin dependent diabetic. If you are interested in managing your diabetes, call Tina at 419-624-1856 or email TinaE@ServingOurSeniors.org to register for the upcoming DEEP courses (See page 4 Calendar of Events for dates and locations) . Tina Elmlinger (left, above) talks participants Harry and June McCune through a demonstration of how diabetic nephropathy impacts kidney function. Diabetes Empowerment Education Program Goes DEEP into Diabetes 9