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:
- Do not have diabetes
- Live in Victoria
- Obtain a referral from a registered General Practitioner (Doctor)
and
- Have a history of a high risk condition, such as heart disease or diabetes during pregancy
or
- Be recognised of being at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes after completing a Diabetes Risk Test
- Be of 50+ years of age
4. Do I need to be 50+ years of age to be eligible for the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course?
No - the Life! course is a Victorian Government initiative and targets people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
If you are 18+ years of age and have a pre-existing condition such as heart disease or diabetes during pregnancy you may be eligible. If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and score 12+ on the AUSDRISK risk test, you are eligible if you are 18+ years of age.
If you are aged 18 - 39 years and have been identified at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes through a WorkHealth check, you may be eligible for a Life! course or Telephone Health Coaching. Call 13 RISK to speak with the Life! Central Referral team or talk to your doctor about a referral to the Life! program.
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 visit the 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 referring into 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:
- diabetes
- pregnancy
- recent angina diagnosis/myocardial infarction within the last 3 months.
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).