Audubon County Memorial Hospital & Clinics and Telligen, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Iowa, are working together to help reduce the complications associated with diabetes in the Audubon area.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population is estimated to have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes. Additionally, diabetes was the country’s seventh leading cause of death in 2013. Adults living in rural areas have a higher prevalence of diabetes than their urban counterparts. In Audubon County approximately 21 – 22 percent of the Medicare population has diabetes.
Telligen has partnered with Audubon County Memorial Hospital & Clinics to provide Medicare patients in the community with diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes. The classes are offered at no cost and will cover topics such as medication, nutrition, and monitoring foot and eye care. Certified diabetes lead trainers will help participants identify challenges and then develop an individualized action plan to take control of their diabetes. Participants will be able to share stories with others in the community and get the support they need to make small changes for big rewards.
Each class is 1-1.5 hours long and will be held once a week for 6 weeks. Classes are scheduled at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital, on Tuesdays, February 26, 2019 through April 2, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. If interested in signing up, call Brooke Klocke, Heath Coach at Audubon County Memorial Hospital & Clinics at 712-563-5273.