HCHC offers diabetes education classes

Henry County Health Center's Diabetes Team will be offering a diabetes education series Tuesday, August 23 and Tuesday, August 30, 2011. The 2-day program is open to anyone who has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

The classes are conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on August 23 and 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on August 30. All classes are held in the Health Education Center at HCHC. Please register by August 22.

Topics include meal planning; exercise; personal goals; eye disease; glucose monitoring; foot, skin and dental care; complications of diabetes; explanation of diabetes; medications; and behavior modifications. There will be time for questions.

The purpose of the program is to provide people who have diabetes and their families the latest information regarding the disease and to help them become aware that diabetes education is a lifelong process.

The HCHC Diabetes Education Center has earned Iowa State Certification. It has also been awarded Recognition from the American Diabetes Association, which assures that it has met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs.

People with diabetes face a shortened life span and also suffer from many preventable diabetes-related complications, such as lower extremity amputations, end-stage renal disease, blindness, long-term reduction in activity, and cardiovascular disease. Many of these diabetes-related complications can be reduced or prevented through treatment and appropriate self-management.

There is a fee for the series; however, many insurance plans will cover the program. For more information, or to sign up for the class series, contact the HCHC Diabetes Education Center at 319-385-6518.