Webinar series equips caregivers to manage diabetes in adults with disabilities

Adults with disabilities face significantly higher rates of diabetes, with prevalence climbing from 5.8% among those without disabilities to 18.3% among those with moderate to severe disabilities, according to the American Diabetes Association. Many of these individuals live in group homes or attend day programs, relying on caregivers for daily diabetes management, including nutrition, medication, and emotional support.

To address this growing need, University of Illinois Extension is offering Taking Care of Diabetes Together, a webinar series tailored for professionals who support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The series provides practical strategies for managing diabetes through evidence-based approaches in nutrition, physical activity, medication adherence, and emotional well-being. 

“Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities face a greater risk of diabetes, and they rely on caregivers for daily support. But many caregivers lack the tools to help,” says Rachel Mannen, nutrition and wellness educator. “This series gives them the knowledge and confidence to make a real difference in someone’s health and quality of life.”

Event details

All sessions are presented from 1 to 2 p.m. Continuing education units, or CEUs, are available.

• Diabetes 101 on Oct. 30.

  
  

  Discover how to explain diabetes in a way that truly connects.

  
  
  
  

• Eating for Balanced Blood Sugar on Nov. 6.

  
  

  Explore how everyday foods impact blood sugar.

  
  
  
  

• Monitoring and Motivation on Nov. 13.

  
  

  Learn to build healthy habits and confidence in diabetes care.

Register for free at go.illinois.edu/DiabetesCareSeries.

For more information or if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in this program, contact Dee Walls at walls1@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs. 

ABOUT ILLINOIS EXTENSION: University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu. 

SOURCE: Rachel Mannen, nutrition and wellness educator, Illinois Extension.

WRITER: Herbert Chavez, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension.