NMMC-HAMILTON CLASS HELPS PEOPLE MANAGE DIABETES

HAMILTON, Ala.—Whether you're recently diagnosed or have lived with diabetes for years, the Two-Day Comprehensive Diabetes Self-Management Program at North Mississippi Medical Center-Hamilton can help.

Sessions will meet from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4 in the hospital’s conference room. Participants learn such diabetes management skills as meal planning, blood sugar monitoring and foot self-examination.

The program helps people with diabetes gain greater control of their disease and reduce medical complications, which results in lower medical costs. During day one of the program, instructors formulate a personal diabetes management plan for each participant. Discussion includes blood sugar control, acute and chronic complications of diabetes, medication management and psychological aspects associated with the disease. Participants also practice monitoring their own blood sugar levels.

The second day of the program is devoted to nutrition and exercise recommendations. The class teaches people with diabetes ways to eat that will help in controlling blood sugar.

The class is partially covered by Medicare and some private insurance companies. Physician referral is required. To register or for more information, call Ernestine Jones, RN, certified diabetes educator, at (205) 952-9345 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

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