Mahaska Health Partnership to offer Free Diabetes Class
Mahaska Health Partnership
OSKALOOSA – Mahaska Health Partnership Diabetes Educator Sharon Ferguson, RN, CDE, will be teaching a free Healthy Options, Healthier You class with two different time options.
This free class, to be held Wednesday, July 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm or 6:30 to 8:30 pm, will be an opportunity for people living with diabetes, or those with a family history, to get free advice from an expert in diabetes. “We are fortunate that CCS Medical is willing to sponsor this free class as a way to deliver valuable, life-saving information,” Ferguson said.
During the class, Ferguson will discuss nutrition, portion control and how to make smart food choices for better health. Ferguson said attendees will receive a free healthy options restaurant guide, an educational book and a 14-day menu guide.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million children and adults in the United States are living with diabetes. Many of them have type 2 diabetes, which is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin.
“Type 2 diabetes is usually brought on by a person’s diet and other lifestyle choices,” Ferguson stressed. “If people living with diabetes or those at high risk for developing it can better manage their diet, exercise and life style; they can drastically reduce possible side effects.”
Diabetes has been linked to a number of serious health concerns including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease and limb amputation. “Failing to take good care of yourself when you have diabetes is not an option,” Ferguson said. “However, there are many resources available to help make the disease more manageable.”
Ferguson is a fulltime diabetes educator at MHP. She helps people living with diabetes live their best life in spite of their disease. She consults with many patients regarding insulin management, diet planning and many other services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.
Ferguson stressed that educational opportunities such as the Free Healthy Options, Healthier You class are very valuable for people with diabetes. “Programs like this are often associated with a fee so I encourage anyone affected by this disease to take advantage because it can have a big impact on their life.”
To register for the Free Healthy Options, Healthier You class, contact Ferguson at 672-3422 or visit mahaskahealth.org and click on classes and screenings, diabetes.
