Local medical centers offer diabetes education
Written by Kristen Rapin | | krapin@toledofreepress.comMore than 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, and 57 million Americans are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.
ProMedica Health System and Mercy Medical Center offer diabetes education classes to assist individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes.
Both programs received recognition from the American Diabetes Association that they meet the standards of diabetes education.
“Diabetes has a lot of heavy-duty, long-term problems, such as heart disease, stroke and loss of limbs. Issues that often come down the road,” said Jan Hollenbeck, ProMedica’s regional supervisor for the diabetes education and nutrition center. “When you’re feeling well, that’s the time to learn about your diabetes, understand how to make better decisions with food and exercise to avoid complications later.”
ProMedica program
ProMedica’s program, Diabetes Education, is available to patients through a doctor’s referral.
Patients are brought in for an initial assessment to figure out what they know and don’t know about diabetes to see what classes they should attend, Hollenbeck said. Patients will also meet with a dietitian for a base meal-plan instruction session.
“Portion is a big issue,” Hollenbeck said. “People tend to eat pretty healthy, just too much.”
After initial assessments, the program has five classes patients may attend. Classes are available one-on-one or in a group setting.
The first class is an overview explaining what diabetes is, what labs mean, understanding monitoring guides and treatments regimens.
The organization also has a problem prevention class covering what sugar damages, foot care, vision loss, heart disease and stroke. Another class examines exercising and the benefits of exercise and how to exercise safely.
Additionally, there is a stress management class that explains how stress affects blood sugar and management techniques.
The final class is a follow-up to see how the patient is doing. The class is a confirmation that the patient is on the right track doing the right things, Hollenbeck said.
“We’re not looking for perfection, no one is perfect. Often patients fall off the wagon and we want them to know they can get back on the wagon,” Hollenbeck said.
Medicare will cover 80 percent of the costs, up to 13 hours total, three hours with a dietitian and 10 hours in education classes, Hollenbeck said.
ProMedica’s Diabetes Education is located at 3909 Woodley Rd. suite 200. Branches are also located at Bay Park Community Hospital, Fostoria Community Hospital and Herrick Medical Center. The Diabetes Education in Pregnancy is located at the Toledo Hospital.
Mercy program
Mercy Diabetes Education Center services are also provided to patients by a doctor’s referral.
“Patients need to be empowered to manage their own diabetes and keep themselves living a healthy lifestyle,” said Laurie Lyell, Mercy Diabetes Education Center’s clinical coordinator.
Patients begin with a session with a registered nurse and then with a dietitian.
The sessions assess what patients know, help build on strengths and understand what needs to be improved on, Lyell said.
After initial assessments with a registered nurse and dietitian, the Diabetes Education Center offers a series of four classes held every Wednesday in a group setting.
“As they are learning to control their own diabetes, patients can learn and problem solve from each other as a group,” Lyell said.
The first class is an overview. The second class is nutrition management, followed by a class on blood glucose monitoring. The final class covers medication, physical activities and complications.
After patients have finished the four weeks of classes they have graduated and are seen yearly for follow-ups, Lyell said.
Classes are located at Mercy St. Vincent hospital and are offered twice a year at Mercy St. Anne Hospital and Mercy St. Charles Hospital.
As part of American Diabetes Month ProMedica will host “Step into Good Health” Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Westfield Franklin Park Mall.
“We hope the event makes a difference making people aware or more aware about diabetes,” Hollenbeck said.
Screenings of blood sugar, blood pressure and body mass index will be available in the food court from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature exercise demonstrations and physicians, pharmacists, nurses and dietitians will be on hand to answer questions.
November is American Diabetes month. As part of American Diabetes month the American Diabetes Association is asking people to join “Stop Diabetes,” a program aimed at confronting, fighting and stopping diabetes.
For more information about Stop Diabetes, visit the Web site www.stopdiabetes.com.
Tags: Diabetes
