Diabetes education classes offered

Putnam County Hospital is offering group classes for diabetes self-management in October.

The material will be divided into two sessions: "What is Diabetes?" and nutrition education.

The diabetes session will be led by Certified Diabetes Educator, Annette Handy, RN and the nutrition education, including carbohydrate counting, will be offered by Registered Dietitian, Jamie Downen.

"Diabetes now affects 23.6 million children and adults in the U.S.," stated Annette Handy, RN, CDE. "We are offering tools to help individuals make the best decisions to manage this disease."

In the past, the hospital has offered individual counseling as patients have been diagnosed and referred.

For some the cost has been a hindrance. It was decided a class setting may allow more diabetic and pre-diabetic patients to obtain the assistance and counseling they need at a reduced cost.

The group classes will be offered in two three-hour blocks every month for a fee of $25. The fee includes both classes. "What is Diabetes?", will be held Oct. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. and nutrition education, will be held Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon and Oct. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m.

All classes will meet on the third floor of Putnam County Hospital.

"A number of individuals and families need this necessary information, but health insurance does not always cover the expenses of individualized counseling," added Jamie Downen, RD.

Patients can save an additional $5 by pre-registering for the class prior to the meeting time.

Those wishing to participate may be referred by their family physician or they can "self-refer" by calling Putnam County Hospital's Central Scheduling at 658-2760 to enroll.

"Diabetes can be prevented or delayed," Handy emphasized. "Be proactive. Talk with your physician and seek out the information you need to make the best choices for yourself. The group classes are a great place to start," said Downen.

Additional support is available for families that have children living with diabetes.

The hospital hosts a monthly Youth Diabetes Support Group on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. on the third floor for such families.

To learn more about the group classes or the support group, please contact Annette Handy, RN CDE at 655-2583, Ext. 1.