Educating Our Patients

Over the past two months, the HOPE Centre has been focusing on educating patients about diabetes and/or hypertension.

Portia Zulu and her team of Peer Educators discuss the work they've been doing.  As Health Education Manager, Portia equips the team to educate others by passing on her expertise in nutrition and health. 

Portia | Health Education Manager

Currently, the Education Team is implementing a program, 5 Steps to Self Care, that equips patients with knowledge about their health and stresses the importance of knowing their numbers. 

"The program answers questions such as: What is hypertension?  What are high numbers?  What are low numbers?  And what are the warning signs I should look out for?" Portia explains.  "It also teaches people what they should and shouldn't eat."

The 5 Steps to Self Care walks patients through basic understanding of diabetes and hypertension, nutrition, as well as exercise.  Overall, the course is 25 sessions and includes hands-on lessons like cooking demonstrations and exercise classes.   

"We haven't decided for sure, but we are thinking we'll hold Zumba classes for the exercise portion of the program," Portia says.

Another program sponsored by one of our partners, Lily, is Conversation Maps.  Intended to get patients talking and asking questions, Conversation Maps highlights common lifestyle choices and how these decisions affect diabetics.  Topics such as portion control, proper exercise, and myths surrounding diabetes are discussed.  Portia explains some of the ways that a patient's culture may affect his lifestyle choices.  For example, large family gatherings with plenty of unhealthy foods are common, and a patient may feel obligated to partake.  She also explains that providing people with accurate information about diabetes is essential.  When a patient begins feeling the negative effects of diabetes, she may visit a traditional healer instead of seeking medical attention, which can lead to ineffective treatment or no treatment at all. 

Portia shows off the program, Conversation Maps

But these programs alone are not enough.  A motivated and educated team is required to bring this valuable information to our patients.  Portia and team of three Peer Educators work to bridge that gap and to make this information applicable and easy to understand. 

Xolelwa | Peer Educator

Xolelwa teaches two classes every week -- one for the HOPE staff and one for community members.  Even though her community class is just starting up the 5 Steps to Self Care, she sees that the students are eager to learn and contribute. 

Jeff | Peer Educator

Jeff also has two classes, and is excited to report that his class of community members has an attendance of 80%.   Jeff recognizes the hard work of his students.  "One of the ladies that attends is beginning to pay attention to what she eats.  While at a big family event, she chose healthy foods," he says.

Donation | Peer Educator

Donation's two community classes are also thriving.  "They ask many questions and even want to invite friends," he says.  One of Donation's classes is held on Saturdays.  The team explains that patients will often have jobs that keep them from attending during the week.   

The members of the Education Team are diverse, come from various backgrounds, and speak different languages.   They explain that this comes in handy while teaching the classes, as English is not the first language of many of their students.

Flexible and motivated, this power team is determined to educate the HOPE patients and push them towards healthier lifestyles.

But their work doesn't stop there.  They are also to determined to practice what they preach.  Going through the 5 Steps of Self Care themselves, the team is implementing healthier choices in their own lives.

As of now, there are 90 people participating the 5 Steps to Self Care program, and the team expect numbers to continue to grow.