National Diabetes Awareness Month
What causes diabetes?
Find out and take control.

The good news is you can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. That’s right: If you’re at risk, making small changes to the way you eat, increasing your physical activity levels or getting early treatment can, for some, actually return blood sugar levels to a normal range. So, take a breath - and then take action.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to get started—or reverse the course of what’s already underway—we have everything you need. Our risk test can help you assess your risk level. And if you’re at high risk or feel like you might have diabetes, get a blood test to find out if you have diabetes or prediabetes.

Learn your risk - https://www.diabetes.org/risk-test

American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org/diabetes-risk) has a full slate of fitness ideas, nutritional plans and tips to help you move forward, including how to get help from a lifestyle change program led by a lifestyle coach trained to use a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved curriculum in your area.

Even if you have prediabetes…There are many factors you can control. Prediabetes is a condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes and even heart disease. Your chances of having prediabetes go up if you:

• Are 45 or older
• Are Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American or Pacific Islander
• Have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
• Are overweight
• Are physically inactive
• Have high blood pressure or take medicine for high blood pressure
• Have low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
• Had diabetes during pregnancy
• Have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome
  

Chester County Seniors

For food, supplies and prescriptions (also pet food)
During this COVID-19 stay-at-home mandated time, if you cannot shop for food, supplies or pickup your prescriptions, please call the senior center (610-932-5244) and leave a message. We check our messages daily. We can get someone to help you!

CDC COVID Updates

Visit the CDC website for the latest information, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Chester County COVID Updates

Visit this website for the latest information for Chester County: https://www.chesco.org/4376/Coronavirus-COVID-19

ROVER

Thanks to Chester County officials, hours for rides in the mornings to grocery stores, doctor’s appointments and pharmacies have been extended, and available on Saturday mornings too! There is a limit of 3 seniors on a bus at one time! There is no additional cost!

 PA Dept. of Health Updates

As always, stay directly informed on COVID-19 by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website, which is regularly updated. https://www.health.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx#

Emotional Support

Where people can turn if they need to talk:
Emotional Listening Line at 800-932-4616. http://www.contacthelpline.org/emotional-listening-support

The Chester County Department of Mental Health has compiled information on how to access help and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit their website and help us to get the word out by sharing this message. https://www.chesco.org/615/Mental-HealthIntellectual-Dev-Disabiliti

Chester County Warm Line: 866-846-2722 or visit chesco.org/mhidd

COVID-19 Statewide Support & Referral Line: 855-284-2494

Governor’s Websites

Visit the Governor’s websites for important information on the COVID-19 situation.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s website:
https://www.governor.pa.gov/

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s website:
https://governor.maryland.gov/

Delaware Governor John Carney’s website:
https://governor.delaware.gov/

Veterans Affairs

In case you are a veteran or know of one in need, please call 610-344-6375

Oxford Area Senior Center

As always be sure to also check our website or Facebook page for any updates.

CDC - Your Health, Older Adults, Risk of Severe Illness Increases with Age

Read full article here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html

Among adults, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. There are also other factors that can increase your risk for severe illness, such as having underlying medical conditions. By understanding the factors that put you at an increased risk, you can make decisions about what kind of precautions to take in your daily life. It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 is to:

1. Limit your interactions with other people as much as possible;
2. Take precautions to prevent getting COVID-19 when you do interact with others;
3. If you start feeling sick and think you may have COVID-19, get in touch with your healthcare provider within 24 hours.

Staying healthy during the pandemic is important. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether your vaccinations and other preventive services are up to date to help prevent you from becoming ill with other diseases. You may feel increased stress during this pandemic. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.  Learn about stress and coping, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

The Oxford Senior Center is a member agency of the