Tag: Diabetes

Here to Educate, Help, and Guide – Intro to Chronic Care Management with Erica Weese, RN

Here to Educate, Help, and Guide - Intro to Chronic Care Management with Erica Weese, RN

Here at Barbour Community Health Association, we are constantly working to turn to better healthcare—which is why we are so excited to announce one of our newest endeavors: Chronic Care Management. Ever heard of it? We didn’t think so! Luckily, Belington Medical Clinic’s Health Educator, Erica Weese, RN, was able to sit down and explain what Chronic Care Management is and who it can help.

Q: What is Chronic Care Management?
A: Chronic Care Management is a personalized program designed to assist eligible patients manage their ongoing chronic conditions. After the initial start-up visit or phone call, we draft goal-oriented care plans specific to each patient to help them tackle their health goals. These can range from simple goals like remembering to take medication to more complex goals like managing and changing diets. I spend roughly 20 minutes a month with each patient checking in on their goals and making sure they’re staying on track.

Q: Who is Eligible for Chronic Care Management?
A: To begin, we are only working with Medicare patients, specifically those who have at least two chronic conditions that will last their lifetime or at least twelve months. Some chronic conditions on this list can include Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Cancer, and more.

Q: How do patients get started with Chronic Care Management?
A: Patients can be referred by their primary care physician to begin this program. One of the best parts of Chronic Care Management is that it can all be done over the phone. It begins with an initial phone call or visit where the patient and I review their health history and any medications they’re taking.

Q: What are some benefits for people to start Chronic Care Management?
A: There are so many benefits for people to start Chronic Care Management, the biggest being education. A big part of my job is to collaborate with the patients primary care provider and to help aid in the understanding of their health conditions, labs, medications, treatments, etc.

Q: What is the Health Educator’s Role in Chronic Care Management?
A: I’m here to educate, help, and guide. My role is to be the center of the spider web. I’m the liaison between patients and their primary care physician or any other physicians or specialists the patients see. My goal is to help the patient feel more confident in their understanding of their disease processes so that they can be a happier, healthier version of themselves.

If you or a loved one are eligible for this program, don’t hesitate to contact Erica Weese, RN, at Belington Medical Clinic or Holly Holbert, BSN, RN, at Myers Clinic.

Diabetics: Have Your Pie and Stay Healthy Too!

Diabetics: Have Your Pie and Stay Healthy Too!

‘Tis the season when folks will be dashing from one holiday dinner to the next. The time of the year when overindulging on your favorite seasonal snacks and treats is never questioned, but rather encouraged.

However, for folks struggling with diabetes, the holiday meals and sweet desserts can be tempting, but downright dangerous.

So, with World Diabetes Day on November 14, Kim Jeffries, RN and Health Educator for Barbour Community Health Association, provided tips on how folks with diabetes can stay healthy and still enjoy the holiday feasts.

  1. Eat close to your usual time to keep your blood sugar steady. If your meal is served later than normal, eat a small snack at your usual time and eat a little less when dinner is served. Stay hydrated throughout the day!
  2. If invited to a party, offer to bring a healthy dish!
  3. If you have sweets, cut back on other carbs, like potatoes and bread during the next meal.
  4. It’s important that you do not skip meals! It will be harder to keep blood sugar under control, and you will be starving. It is hard to make good choices when you are starving, and it is tempting to overeat.
  5. Have pumpkin pie and not pecan. Even with whipped cream, the calories and sugar can be cut by one third.
  6. If it is a buffet, have a small plate of foods you like best and then move away from the buffet table. Start with veggies to take the edge off your appetite.
  7. Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to realize it is full.
  8. Avoid or limit alcohol. If you do drink, have it with food. Alcohol can lower blood sugar and interact with diabetes medicines.
  9. Check your blood sugar more often and ask your doctor if your medicines need to be adjusted for the season.
  10. No food is off limits. Choose dishes you really love and cannot get any other time of the year, like Mimi’s pecan log roll.
  11. Slow down and savor a small serving! Make sure to count it in your meal plan.
  12. Take time to be active. Staying active during the holidays helps your body use calories and reduce stress. The holidays are about spending time with loved ones, so take a nice stroll after your holiday meal.

The holiday season can be taxing, and for those with diabetes, this time of the year can be doubly stressful. But by taking these tips into consideration, you can enjoy the holidays and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

For more information about assistance with managing your diabetes, call Kim at Belington Medical Clinic at (304) 823-2800 or Holly Holbert, RN and Health Educator at Myers Clinic at (304) 457-2800 in Philippi.

5 Reasons to Register for Our Diabetes Education Classes

5 Reasons to Register for Our Diabetes Education Classes

The number of people affected by diabetes in West Virginia grows every day. For those affected by the disease, life can seem overwhelming with all the concerns, dietary requirements, and new medications. At Myers Clinic, our job is to make sure you’re armed with the education you need to stay healthy. That’s why we’re offering a FREE 4-course Diabetes Education Class that will be held every Tuesday beginning September 3rd, 2019 at 6:30 PM. Classes will be taught by Kim Jefferies, RN, CTTS, and will focus on diabetic tips, best practices, and nutrition.

This class is beneficial to diabetics and those who care for diabetics. The purpose of the class is to promote the health and quality of life of those suffering and prevent complications that can arise with unmanaged diabetes. Still not convinced? Here are the five top reasons to register:

  1. Misinformation – there are plenty of misconceptions surrounding the disease and diabetes education helps set the record straight. Come to class ready to learn, or re-learn, things you may have ignored before or maybe didn’t need to know earlier. What we know about diabetes and how we treat diabetes changes all the time.
  2. Monitoring – including how to prick your finger, monitor your blood sugar, when to test, and what those results may mean. When you learn to look for signs of your diabetes changing, you can better react.
  3. Nutrition – Diabetes is complex, so it has to be managed every day. These classes will help you learn how to eat and exercise, determine and set your health goals, and get the tools to achieve those goals.
  4. Improved Quality of Life – there are no side effects to improving your lifestyle and there are no side effects to eating better and losing weight when done correctly. When you plan for nutrition, your diabetes is better managed and results in a better quality of life.
  5. It’s Free – these classes don’t occur often, so take advantage of this opportunity!

This series is open to everyone and you can register at http://bit.ly/DiabetesClassRegistration.