Hello Friends,
This message is a guide to how to make an Diabetes Emergency Kit
(DEK) for your church.
I have encountered too many type 2 diabetic
family members and friends or visitors at church that neglect to eat sufficient food before
attending services - even after taking
insulin or medication- which resulted in low blood sugar episodes.. This can be a scary event but one for which you can be prepared. The symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) include the following:
· Shakiness or anxiety
· Dizziness
· Palpitations
· Sweating
· Hunger
· Headache
· Pale skin color
· Sudden moodiness or behavior changes, such as crying for no reason
· Clumsy or jerky movements
· Difficulty paying attention or confusion
Most churches have a first aid kit, but not many have an emergency kit for low blood sugar emergencies. See the brochures section for a photo of a Diabetes Low Blood Sugar Emergency Kit and a label you can
use to prepare your own kit *
The contents can be obtained and maintained for less than $10 for a small congregation but is adaptable for any size congregation.
The kit I put together for my church consisted of
mostly items from Dollar Tree and cost less than $10.
· Cooler or container such as plastic shoe box with lid ($1)
· Small boxes of raisins ($1)
· Pack 4 oz apple juice boxes ( 2 4/pks at $1 each)
· Peanut butter crackers ( 6/pk for $1)
· Glucose tablets (CVS has a dye-free, naturally flavored version) (<$3)
- hard candy. I prefer Yummy Earth organic lollipops or hard candies. These can be found at health food stores or Whole Foods for under $3/
I encourage you to use this as a guide to prepare a Diabetes Low Blood Sugar Emergency Kit.
Reminder greeting about blood sugar check results to known diabetics by friends or church
ushers
Weekly church bulletin includes notice for diabetics to seen an usher for use of the emergency
diabetes kit if the need arises.
-Ushers and church health nurses/personnel can be trained to notice medical alert bracelets or signs
of low
blood sugar distress.
* The international symbol for diabetes is the blue circle symbol noted on the label.
I would love to hear your input and how you have implemented this idea to create your own
diabetes emergency kit (DEK) for your congregation.
Renee Lea-Currie, Ph.D.
www.thetakebacktour.com
The Take Back Tour is the Health Ministry of the Philadelphia 7th Day Adventist Church in Burlington, NC.
This message is a guide to how to make an Diabetes Emergency Kit
(DEK) for your church.
I have encountered too many type 2 diabetic
family members and friends or visitors at church that neglect to eat sufficient food before
attending services - even after taking
insulin or medication- which resulted in low blood sugar episodes.. This can be a scary event but one for which you can be prepared. The symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) include the following:
· Shakiness or anxiety
· Dizziness
· Palpitations
· Sweating
· Hunger
· Headache
· Pale skin color
· Sudden moodiness or behavior changes, such as crying for no reason
· Clumsy or jerky movements
· Difficulty paying attention or confusion
Most churches have a first aid kit, but not many have an emergency kit for low blood sugar emergencies. See the brochures section for a photo of a Diabetes Low Blood Sugar Emergency Kit and a label you can
use to prepare your own kit *
The contents can be obtained and maintained for less than $10 for a small congregation but is adaptable for any size congregation.
The kit I put together for my church consisted of
mostly items from Dollar Tree and cost less than $10.
· Cooler or container such as plastic shoe box with lid ($1)
· Small boxes of raisins ($1)
· Pack 4 oz apple juice boxes ( 2 4/pks at $1 each)
· Peanut butter crackers ( 6/pk for $1)
· Glucose tablets (CVS has a dye-free, naturally flavored version) (<$3)
- hard candy. I prefer Yummy Earth organic lollipops or hard candies. These can be found at health food stores or Whole Foods for under $3/
I encourage you to use this as a guide to prepare a Diabetes Low Blood Sugar Emergency Kit.
Reminder greeting about blood sugar check results to known diabetics by friends or church
ushers
Weekly church bulletin includes notice for diabetics to seen an usher for use of the emergency
diabetes kit if the need arises.
-Ushers and church health nurses/personnel can be trained to notice medical alert bracelets or signs
of low
blood sugar distress.
* The international symbol for diabetes is the blue circle symbol noted on the label.
I would love to hear your input and how you have implemented this idea to create your own
diabetes emergency kit (DEK) for your congregation.
Renee Lea-Currie, Ph.D.
www.thetakebacktour.com
The Take Back Tour is the Health Ministry of the Philadelphia 7th Day Adventist Church in Burlington, NC.
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