Frequently asked questions
1. What is the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course?
Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course is a new type 2 diabetes prevention program. A lifestyle behaviour change course of six group sessions, run over a period of eight months. Our aim is to help you work towards a weight loss goal of five per cent of your total body weight through healthy eating and moderate daily exercise.
2. If I have diabetes can I do the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course?
Unfortunately you are not eligible to participate in the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes. A visit to your doctor will confirm if you are eligible for the program.
3. Do I need to be diagnosed with pre-diabetes in order to qualify as eligible for the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course?
No - eligibility criteria for Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course includes but is not limited to:
- Be recognised of being at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes after completing a Diabetes Risk Test
- Be of 50+ years of age (or 40+ years of age – see below)
- Do not have diabetes
- Live in Victoria
- Obtain a referral from a registered General Practitioner (Doctor)
4. Do I need to be 50+ years of age to be eligible for the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course?
The Life! course is a Victorian Government initiative and targets people 50 years and over to prevent type 2 diabetes.
However, the Life! course is also accredited under the Commonwealth ‘Standards for lifestyle modification programs for people at risk of type 2 diabetes’. The Commonwealth Diabetes Prevention Program targets 40 to 49 year olds at high risk of type 2 diabetes.
This means that if you are 40+ and at high risk of diabetes, your doctor can refer you to the Life! course. Talk to your doctor about referral to the Life! course
5. What if I am not eligible for the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course?
Contact your local Division of General Practice or Community Health Service to find out what services are available in your area. For more information about preventing diabetes from the Go for your life website or Diabetes Australia – Vic website or the Better Health Channel.
6. What if there is not a Life! Taking Action on Diabetes program available in this region?
Life! Taking Action on Diabetes courses run across Victoria. Use the course locator to find the course closest to you. If there is not a course currently booked near you, the course locator provides contacts in each region.
7. Are there any exclusions for the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes program?
Yes. People with any of the following conditions are not eligible for Life! Taking Action on Diabetes program:
- pregnancy,
- active psychiatric illness,
- myocardial infarction within three months and substance abuse (including alcohol).
- those with cognitive impairment, recent stroke affecting mobility and/or cognition may be excluded according to the assessment of the course facilitator.
8. Is there a fee for the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course?\
Funding is provided to cover most of the costs of the course for eligible participants who are aged 50 or over (or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults of any age) in Victoria. There may be a participant co-payment of $50 per person.
9. There seems to be a lot of programs called ‘Life’. What is the difference between them?
The Life! Taking Action on Diabetes program is the Victorian Government funded type 2 diabetes prevention program targeting people aged 50 or over, and led by DA–Vic. A commonly known Commonwealth Government program that sounds similar is Lifescripts, where GPs provide their patients with a prescription for suggested lifestyle changes.
10. What qualifications do Life! facilitators have?
Life! facilitators are qualified health professionals. In addition, applicants are required to have a range of competencies. skills and knowledge before being accepted to train as a Life! facilitator.
11. How do I get more information about the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course?
Call the Diabetes Infoline on 13 RISK (13 7475).