Learn about Griffin Hospital's diabetes prevention program in virtual session

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is hosting a virtual information session for a free program that helps individuals change their lives to prevent Type 2 Diabetes from 7-8 p.m. March 30.

The session will outline the Prevent T2 Lifestyle Change Program, an evidenced-based, year-long program designed for people with pre-diabetes and those who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes and want to lower their risk. Studies show that this program can prevent diabetes 58-71 percent.

To register for the information session contact Griffin Health Wellness Program Intake Coordinator Amanda Fowler at 203-732-1369 or afowler@griffinhealth.org.

“If a health care professional has said that you or a loved one is at risk for diabetes, have pre-diabetes, have gestational diabetes, or have high blood sugar or glucose, then this program can help you make healthy lifestyle changes and prevent or delay diabetes,” said Mary Swansiger, Prevent T2 Lifestyle Coach and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist.

Virtual weekly meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. starting April 6. 

The program meeting schedule is weekly, one-hour sessions for four months, followed by meetings every other week for four months, and finally, monthly meetings for the remaining four months.

Prevent T2 helps participants achieve moderate weight loss by eating well and being active.

By the end of the first six months, the goal is for participants to lose at least 5-to-7 percent of their starting weight, and get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week at a moderate pace or more. 

By the end of the second six months, the goal is for participants to keep off the weight they have lost, keep working toward their goal if they haven’t reached it, lose more weight if they wish, and keep getting at least 150 minutes of activity each week.

For more information about Prevent T2, contact Amanda at 203-732-1369 or  afowler@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby, Safe Kids to host session on safe sleep for infants

Griffin Health slates free session on safe sleep./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Safe Kids Worldwide and Griffin Health are helping parents and caregivers of infants sleep a little easier by providing free education on ways to make sure their little ones are snoozing safely.

Griffin will host several free, interactive programs entitled “Safe Sleep for Your Baby” to teach how to reduce the risk of sleep-related causes of infant death. 

The next program will be June 24 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Parents and caregivers will learn about safe sleep practices, and the safe sleep myths and facts for infants under 1 year of age. Door prizes, raffles, and educational materials will be provided.

The sessions are open to anyone expecting a child and anyone caring for an infant under 1 year of age. 

Registration is required by contacting Cathi Kellett at Ckellett@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-1337.

“Seeing a baby sleeping is a precious sight, especially for parents and caregivers who can get very tired caring for an infant,” said Kellett, of Griffin’s Community Outreach & Parish Nurse Department and Coordinator of the Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition. “This grant will allow us to provide simple and effective sleep safety tips, so that parents can create a safe place for babies to sleep and nap.”

Griffin Health partners with Safe Kids as part of its ongoing effort to transform health care by not only treating illness, but also helping people stay healthy. 

Griffin actively empowers individuals to play an active role in their health and wellbeing by providing them with information, tools and support to care for themselves and their loved ones.

According to Safe Kids, unintentional suffocation is the leading cause of injury-related death among children under 1 year old. Also, nearly 3,500 infants die each year in the United States because of sleep-related reasons, including entrapment, strangulation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.