Maine Senior Guide is hosting a free diabetes management workshop series beginning Tuesday, April 26, 2013 and continuing for five more Tuesday sessions. The workshops are from 9:30 a.m. – noon in the Bath Savings Institution board room on Lower Main Street in Freeport. The class is free and open to anyone with a diabetes or pre-diabetes diagnosis.
The free Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program is taught by Healthcentric Advisors. Healthcentric Advisors is the quality improvement organization hired by Medicare to improve outcomes for patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes in Maine and other New England states.
Diabetes Management Techniques
People who attend the diabetes management workshop will learn about healthy eating and cooking, problem solving, making action plans, planning meals, dealing with stress, relaxation and working with their health care team. The workshops include healthy snacks and time for Q & A each week.
There is no cost, and no insurance requirements, but participants need to register, which they can do on-line at www.MaineSeniorGuide.com or by calling 207-232-7847. Classes will run for 6 weeks, from Tuesday, April 26-Tuesday May 31, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon.
About diabetes management and Healthcentric Advisors
Healthcentric Advisors is the CMS-appointed Quality Improvement Organization for Maine, as well as for the other five New England states. Healthcentric Advisors is focused on reducing disparities and improving clinical outcomes for patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes, by offering the Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) in Maine.
The DSMP is a free, evidence-based workshop series. No insurance is billed for the series and there is no limit to the number of times a person can participate in this diabetes management program. Referral is not required.
Two peer-leaders teach the workshops using the Stanford method and manual. Emphasis is placed on action-planning, problem-solving, and relying on the collective wisdom and experiences of the group to enrich the class material.
These classes serve as a strong foundation for participants who are later referred to a Certified Diabetes Educator, or they can serve as a diabetes refresher course to reinforce knowledge and ability to manage chronic conditions.