October - December 2019

Erie County Health Department data indicates that one in four individuals, aged 65 and older, in Erie County is diabetic. Serving Our Seniors offers a Diabetes Empowerment Education Program [DEEP] throughout the year to help diabetics and pre-diabetics management their diabetes. The next DEEP course will be offered each Thursday, October 10 – November 14, from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Perkins Township Town Hall, 2610 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. The six-week course is free for Erie County residents, ages 60+ and their spouses or significant others. The class is educational and entertaining, offering a hands-on, interactive learning experience. Past attendees give the class rave reviews. The photos here are from an eye-opening class activity where attendees learn how much sugar and fat (lard) is in just one meal. In raw form it looks so appalling – guaranteed to curb your appetite! For more information or to register for the course, call Tina Elmlinger, Serving Our Seniors Healthcare Advocate Trainer, at 419-624-1856. Bill and Sandy Smith, Tina Elmlinger, and Larry Knight An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure Vera Brown, Donna Logan and Diane Schnell Kathleen Mackall, Ernestine Myers, Stella Brown and Lester Rycraft What Does It Cost to Treat Diabetes? Most people are not aware how expensive diabetes treatment can be until they are prescribed drugs that they can’t afford. GoodRx just published its pricing study with two attention-getting retail prices for diabetes medication: Humulin R 20 mL vial (500 units/mL) $1,813; and Humulin R KwikPen (3 mL, 500 units/mL) $352 per pen. Good Rx explains that generally speaking, “…a diabetic may start with 1 unit of insulin per 2.2 - 4.4 lbs. of body weight per day or 40 units/day for a person weighing 154 lbs.” A diabetic on Medicare Part D could pay as much as 25% of the cost of this prescription, which equates to $200-$900 per month. Another medication, an oral pill, called “Januvia” (sitagliptin phosphate) can range from $.73 - $16.83 per pill for a 30-day supply ($489 per month). With Medicare Part D, the cost could be $122 per month. Want to Save Some Money? Studies show that diet and exercise can sharply lower the likelihood of diabetes. To learn more, please register for the DEEP course before October 8, 2019. 9 www.servingourseniors.org