Elizabethtown, NY – Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming at times, but no one has to do it alone. 

University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital is launching a free Diabetes Support Group to bring people together for education, encouragement and conversation with others living with diabetes.

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 21, at 1 pm in the hospital boardroom, located at 75 Park Street. The group is open to anyone living with diabetes, as well as family members, caregivers and anyone interested in learning more about diabetes management.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 38 million Americans live with diabetes. Locally, the New York State Department of Health says an estimated one in seven adults in Essex County have been diagnosed with the disease, which is higher than the statewide average of 11.4%.

Denise McLaughlin, BSN, RN, CDCES, of the hospital’s Diabetes Education Program, says those statistics highlight the importance of education, support and resources for people living with the disease.

"Having other patients with diabetes supporting you, encouraging you and empowering you can be extremely beneficial in managing diabetes," McLaughlin says. "There is great value in knowing you’re not alone. Sometimes the best advice and encouragement come from people who have walked the same path."

She adds the support group will provide a welcoming space where participants can share experiences, ask questions, discuss challenges and learn practical tips for living well with diabetes. Topics may include healthy eating, monitoring blood sugar, staying active, managing medications and navigating everyday life with diabetes.

There is no cost to attend, and all are welcome.

For more information, contact Denise McLaughlin at 518-873-9005.

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About Elizabethtown Community Hospital

University of Vermont Health – Elizabethtown Community Hospital is a not-for-profit critical access hospital with locations in Elizabethtown and Ticonderoga and six community-based primary care centers serving Essex County and the Adirondack Park region. As part of a rural academic health system serving Vermont and northern New York, we provide essential emergency, inpatient, rehabilitation and specialty care close to home. Together, we deliver access to leading-edge technology, advanced treatment options and the highest level of compassionate care while addressing the critical needs and unique challenges facing our patients, their families and our employees.

About University of Vermont Health Network

University of Vermont Health Network is a rural academic health system with more than 100 years of service to small towns and cities across Vermont and northern New York. We are deeply committed to reimagining rural health in ways that will benefit our communities for generations to come and keep exceptional care close to home. Our system includes an academic medical center, two community hospitals, three critical access hospitals, a children’s hospital, a cancer center, a multispecialty medical group, 154 outpatient sites and care beyond the hospital through home health, hospice care, four skilled nursing facilities and other support services. Our care is informed by an essential partnership with University of Vermont’s The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Together, as a health system serving a rural area, we are tackling health care’s biggest challenges — supporting the communities we serve and investing in our employees by addressing housing affordability, quality childcare and professional development needs. To learn more, visit us at www.uvmhealth.org.