The Oklahoma Eagle Newswire
For many seniors with diabetes, managing your own care can be difficult, as can remaining independent while dealing with diabetes complications. The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) is a no-cost opportunity to learn to manage your own care, remain independent, and improve your quality of life.
DEEP workshop classes are not conducted in a typical classroom style. Instead, the classes are interactive and involve group activities, and demonstrations. The DEEP workshop includes six weekly classes, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per class. Class size is limited to ensure everyone has time to ask questions and participate in the activities.
“I cannot express how informative this class has been. I feel more capable of dealing with my diabetes after attending this class, “wrote a participant from one of our workshops. “I also learned how important it is to do a daily check of my feet to make sure there are not any lesions or sores on them which could result in major problems if not taken care of in the early stages.”
Attending a DEEP workshop will increase your knowledge of diabetes and its risk factors. You will learn how to reduce diabetes complications and risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, and tobacco use. You will learn how to manage other chronic diseases by improving blood glucose control; how to use medications correctly; how to manage stress; how to prevent foot problems; and how to control diabetes through nutrition.
Nearly 13 percent of adults in the United States age 20 and older have diabetes, according to the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly one-third of persons 65 years and older have diabetes. The disease brings with it the risk of other complications such as blindness, amputations of lower extremities, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke. Its financial cost and the impact on patients and families’ lives are considerable.
Yet, the disease can be prevented and managed. Reducing the prevalence and managing the disease are a matter of education and effort on the part of the public. Hispanics, Native Americans and African-Americans are more at risk for the disease due to genetic and social factors
Ability Resources is working with INCOG Area Agency on Aging and TMF Quality Innovation Network to provide this no-cost program to promote diabetes awareness. A portion of the funding for this program comes from OKDHS-Aging Service.
TMF® Health Quality Institute is a nonprofit health care consulting company that partnered with the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, Primaris in Missouri and the Quality Improvement Professional Research Organization, Inc. in Puerto Rico to form the TMF Quality Innovation Network Quality Improvement Organization (TMF QIN-QIO), under contract with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
To find out more about the workshops, contact Sandie Sullivan, Independent Living Counselor, Ability Resources, 918.592.1235, ext. 104.
