On January 24th, Chung Wah Community Care (CWCC) arranged a special health talk at the Balcatta Community Hub. We were thrilled to have the experts from Diabetes WA join us to share important insights about diabetes, a topic that touches many of our lives. With diabetes becoming more common in our community, it was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn more about staying healthy and managing this condition together. It's all part of our commitment to keeping our vibrant senior community informed, active, and healthy!
Research indicates that every 8 minutes, an Australian is diagnosed with diabetes. From 2000 to 2020, the number of people with diabetes doubled, exceeding 1.3 million. Among these, 90% are Type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition primarily affecting older adults and increasing the risk of several complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and limb amputation.
During our seminar, we introduced a unique and engaging way to learn about diabetes called 'Feltman'. This approach uses a friendly human body model that highlights blood vessels, muscles, and major organs, making it easier for everyone to visualise and understand how our bodies work. With the help of simple, easy-to-follow cards, the presenter showed us how our body processes glucose from the foods we eat into energy. This interactive method made learning about the connection between our lifestyle and diabetes fun and insightful, helping us grasp the importance of caring for our health in a very relatable way.
Most carbohydrates in food are converted into monosaccharide glucose within a few hours. When blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin, acting like a key in the "Feltman" model, allowing muscle cells to absorb glucose from the blood for energy or storage. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. The speaker detailed the causes of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, including genetics, immune system variations, environmental factors, poor dietary habits, obesity, and lack of exercise.
Additionally, the speaker delved into the complications, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes. During the Q&A session, participants actively asked questions and learned about a new Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing method. The presenter further introduced the medical benefits and the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) provided by the government for diabetes patients. The seminar was highly informative and received enthusiastic applause.
Chung Wah has been servicing the WA community since 1909, dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, Chung Wah CC has 40 years of professional care experience helping seniors and people with disabilities improve their well-being and better integrate into the community. This year's theme, "Celebrating Our Cultural Strands," reflects our 40 years of commitment to understanding, integration, and moving forward together for a more harmonious and better community for all.
