March 29, 2024

Learn to live freely with diabetes

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 13 percent of adults ages 20 and older and nearly one-third of people 65 years and older have diabetes in the United States.

The statistics for racial and ethnic minorities and people living in rural areas are even more startling.

Everyone with Diabetes Counts will be held Mondays 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 20-Aug. 24 at Crest Ridge Estates Independent Senior Housing, 1715 W. Prairie St., Creston.

Given these statistics, it’s surprising that less than half of people with diabetes have had any form of education about their disease.

Everyone with Diabetes Counts (EDC) is a diabetes education program funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Diabetes education classes are provided free of charge to Medicare and Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible beneficiaries with diabetes and pre-diabetes in Iowa.

The program consists of six classes, approximately one and a-half to two hours long.

Participants are asked to take a short survey before the first class and a post-test after the last class.

These are anonymous and used only to evaluate the success of the program.

Participants can expect to learn about:

• How to control blood sugar levels

• Low cost healthy meals

• Becoming more active

• How to manage medications

• Answers to your questions and support for your concerns

For more information or to register, contact Mary Houghtaling at 641-782-3553.