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Contact: Rosie Smith JACKSON HOSPITAL
Tel. 850/718-2696 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Email: rsmith@jackhosp.org
DIABETEIC METER WORKSHOP
Free equipment to self-manage care
Marianna, FL, November 26, 2007. Each year the month of November is set aside for Americans to learn about diabetes. This year’s 2007 Diabetes Awareness Month concludes with a Diabetic Meter Workshop scheduled for December 6th, from 2pm-5pm, in Jackson Hospital’s Education Classroom, ground floor, 4250 Hospital Drive, Marianna. Although we observe one month per year, actually Diabetes is a chronic disease that is in front of the person with diabetes, each day, often several times each day.
Nearly 21 million children and adults have diabetes -- including 18.5% of Jackson County residents -- and an additional 54 million are at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is reaching near-epidemic levels and has serious and life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputation, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Lifelong learning about the disease process is necessary in order for Diabetics to achieve control of their diabetes. To help the community continue its learning, the Meter Workshop is a hands-on way to learn about metering equipment and its role in the diabetes self-management process.
In the Diabetic Meter Workshop, participants will learn:
1. How to identify the importance of blood glucose (sugar) self-monitoring,
2. Recognize what the blood glucose reading means when checked with a Glucometer,
3. Conduct a personal blood glucose reading using the meters distributed to participants.
A key feature of the Diabetic Meter Workshop is the distribution of free meters with starter strips to enable diabetics to begin immediately self-monitoring. Gulf Medical is providing the meters for distribution.
For a regular supply of strips, The Panhandle Area Health Network has a Prescription Assistance Program that can help by supplying testing supplies at little or no cost based on an individual’s family financial situation. To take advantage of this community resource, Annie Hollister, PAHN’s Interim Executive Director says, “bring the following four items to PAHN and the staff will help get the paperwork completed:
1. Prescription printouts from the Pharmacy for the last 6 months
2. Bring all medicine bottles
3. Have paperwork to verify income for all household members
4. Estimate of monthly out-of-pocket medical expense”
Even if you currently have Medicaid or Medicare, you may be eligible because as Ms. Hollister indicates “there exists a doughnut hole with Medicare Part D and PAHN can help with out-of-pocket expenses for diabetes management items.”
Registration is required for the Diabetic Meter Workshop. There is no cost to attend; however, space is limited to the first 30 participants. Contact Karen Talley to register at 718-2842.
Sandra L. Helms, ARNP, Certified Diabetes Educator, will conduct the workshop. She says, “Self-management of diabetes is the cornerstone of diabetes care.” The program is open to those who have diabetes and for their caregivers. Sandy has 15 years experience as a Nurse Practitioner in a 29-year nursing career. She maintains a small practice dedicated to diabetes management at Chipola Medical Associates and serves as Executive Nursing Director at Sunland Center.
Jackson Hospital’s mission is to provide the highest quality healthcare to those it serves, enhancing life in a compassionate environment. The hospital counts Jackson County and neighboring counties as its service area.
Jackson Hospital, a top 100 Hospital in the nation according to Thomson Healthcare, is the only Florida hospital in its size category to receive the 2006 Performance Improvement Leaders award. # # # If you would like more information about this topic or an interview with Sandy Helms, please call Rosie at 850/718-2696 or email her at rsmith@jackhosp.org.
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