The American Diabetes Association recognizes the Methodist Hospitals Diabetes Center for its excellent programming, which offers education and support to those who want to learn how to prevent or manage diabetes.
“We offer education based on the American Diabetes Association; that's where our education recognition comes from,” said Diabetes Educator Valerie Alger, RN, BSN. “We offer education about the disease process, management, and their types whether it's type one, type two, gestational diabetes, or pre-diabetes. We provide them tools for healthy behaviors and talk about diet, monitoring, management, risk control, problem-solving, coping, exercise – it's a full gamut of topics.”
Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) classes are covered by Medicare and Medicaid – and they can be covered by additional insurance providers with a doctor’s order. Regardless of insurance coverage, DSME classes are open to the community. Alger and the Diabetes Center staff are eager to welcome the community and teach them the ins and outs of diabetes.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about diabetes is welcome to the Diabetes Center classes, which cover topics such as prevention and nutrition. These classes go over healthy coping, eating habits, exercise, self-monitoring, medication options, risks to avoid, and problem-solving skills. Those interested in learning about diet on a deeper level or developing a customized diet plan are invited to explore Individual Nutrition Counseling with a registered dietitian.
Those who would like to attend classes but are unable to do so in-person are able to connect with the Diabetes Center staff through its Virtual Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Through DPP, attendees learn about how to reduce their diabetes risk during monthly, hour-long seminar sessions via Zoom.
If someone is unsure where to start and wants a basic overview of diabetes, they can attend a quarterly follow-up session.
“We have group sessions that are similar to support groups. Anyone can come; they don't have to have attended previously. We talk about everything diabetes, so it is not just about medication. We share a general overview of exercise and lifestyle changes that can help them control their sugars,” Alger said.
Alger encourages anyone in the midst of their pre-diabetes and diabetes journeys to take advantage of all community resources at the Diabetes Center and beyond and be on the lookout for special events. Once a week, the Diabetes Center partners with Purdue University to offer a free, diabetes-friendly cooking class at both its Northlake Campus in Gary and Southlake Campus in Merrillville.
The Diabetes Center staff is happy to connect community members with all diabetes resources and answer any diabetes-related questions over the phone at 219-886-4444 (Northlake Campus) and 219-738-5802 (Southlake Campus).
“We're motivated to give the best care possible,” Alger said. “We want to give the best care to every person who walks through our doors and see everybody live healthy lives. For the things that they can manage, we want to give them resources that they can use to manage it. Intrinsically, we're caregivers.”
To learn more about Methodist Hospitals Diabetes Center and take its free Online Diabetes Risk Assessment, visit its website.
