Take Charge and Prevent Diabetes Health Problems
Community Health, Rutland How are you doing? We thought this might be a good time to check in with you now that it’s been a year since you completed Community Health’s Diabetes Education Program. Are you ready for a refresher?
At Community Health, our diabetes educators are proactive and want to keep patients on a realistic pathway to addressing a diabetes diagnosis. We are expanding our diabetes education programs and take part in a monthly support group to provide information, accountability and a safe space to collaborate with others who have diabetes challenges.
And, every November Community Health joins the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in recognizing National Diabetes Awareness Month. It’s a monthlong focus on how important it is to take charge and learn how a few conscious efforts can make a difference.
Support groups are back - the second Wednesday of the month
“The support group is a collaborative effort with the hospital, so we feel it’s nice for the community to have different organizations involved,” said Claudia Courcelle, Community Health Director of Care Management.
The second Wednesday of every month there are three different locations where anyone impacted by diabetes is welcome to ask questions of diabetes educators and share ideas, thoughts and support.
Community Health and Rutland Regional Medical Center’s Diabetes & Endocrinology Center host monthly support groups in three different locations at three different times:
- 1-2pm at the RRMC Diabetes & Endocrinology Center
- 4-5pm at Brandon Town Hall
- 5-6pm at Community Heath Castleton
Those attending the support groups include anyone having difficulty managing different aspects of their diabetes. You might see parents of kids who are diagnosed with diabetes or children or caregivers of elderly parents looking for guidance, suggestions or helpful ideas. Support groups bridge the gap between education visits for patients, family members, parents and caregivers.
The support group meetings are organized and led by Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES). Diabetes Community Care Coordinators work with providers and the clinical teams at Community Health locations to identify resources and programs like the support groups to diabetes patients.
“Diabetes support hasn’t been offered in Rutland County in several years,” said Michele Redmond, RN, BSN, CDCES, Community Health Diabetes Prevention and Management Specialist. “It’s a service that is missing and I’m happy and proud to be part of this collaborative program offering diabetes support.”
Start with these simple tips
The reason there is so much focus on diabetes education is that small lifestyle changes can produce results. So, start simple with these tips:
- Know your A1C. Ask your provider about your A1C blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Find out what your levels should be and what goals you should aim for.
- Build healthy habits. Food, sleep and exercise are most important to look at. Take small steps to eat healthier, be more physically active and get enough sound sleep.
- Manage your medications. Take medications on time and as prescribed even if you feel good. If you are having trouble managing your medications, ask your provider or pharmacist for help.
- A healthy mind matters. Take care of your mental health. A counselor may be able to find ways to cope with stress.
- Talk to your provider. Ask your provider for help to manage your diabetes or they can refer you to other providers or healthcare professionals who can help.
Is diabetes a problem in Rutland County?
In Rutland County, 13% of the population has a diagnosis of diabetes. In Vermont, 8.8% of the population is diagnosed with diabetes and an additional 33.6% have a diagnosis of prediabetes. We know there is a need for learning more about this chronic condition.
The Community Health Diabetes Education Program is also addressing prediabetes, identifying patients who are at risk of developing diabetes. Prediabetes education classes are an opportunity to teach about prediabetes and give patients an opportunity to learn about the lifestyle modifications that can reduce the risk of transitioning to Type 2 diabetes.
The classes include an overview of prediabetes, information about nutrition and physical activity and the year-long Diabetes Prevention Program offered by MyHealthyVermont.org.
Early identification of prediabetes, intervention and ongoing education are preventive measures Community Health providers take to help patients avoid or delay onset of a diagnosis of diabetes.
Community Health patients who are interested in learning more about the Diabetes Education Program can call their Community Health office or contact their provider through the Patient Portal. If you already have a diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes, ask about being referred to see one of our educators.
Learn more about Community Health at http://www.chcrr.org or call 802-779-9169.
Community Health is Vermont’s largest FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center), a network of primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham; Community Health Pediatrics is in Rutland; and Behavioral Health services are available at all of our locations. Community Health Express Care centers, open 7 days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers.
The mission of Community Health is to be the foremost integrated community health center providing quality and collaborative care that is accessible to all people, in order to live their best lives and build stronger communities.