Center for Healthy Living program to focus on living with diabetes

"Living with Diabetes" is a comprehensive program offered by the Center for Healthy Living for people doing just that -- living with diabetes. The primary objective of the program is to share essential education and support so participants can manage their condition, stay healthy and prevent complications. Participants will gain the educational tools needed for success and develop a plan to become an active partner with their health care provider.

Program participants must have a diagnosis of diabetes from a Center for Healthy Living (CHL) provider or through documentation from an approved provider. It’s tailored for the newly diagnosed, as well as those with years of experience living with this disease. Attendees may also invite a supportive family member or friend to attend the program with them.

Those wishing to participate in the program are encouraged to register by Friday, April 10 by calling 49-45239 and begin setting initial meetings with the center’s registered nurse health coach and medication therapy management pharmacist.

Diabetes meal planning, carbohydrate counting and physical activity will be emphasized because of their value in improving glycemic control, which plays an important role in overall health. Participants of the program also have access to the expert services of the center’s health care professionals, including:

* A registered nurse who is a certified health and wellness coach.
* A pharmacist who is specially trained in medication therapy management (MTM).
* A registered dietitian who will assist with individualized meal planning.

In addition to CHL-based providers, participants will meet providers in the fields of optometry, endocrinology and podiatry -- all of which have specific connections to diabetes.

The program begins the week of April 13 and consists of pre-assessment, a post-assessment, a 12-week class that meets once a week and ongoing health coaching and pharmacist visits tailored to the participant's needs.

Classes will run Mondays from May 4 to Aug. 3 and Thursdays from May 7 to Aug. 6, and will not meet the weeks of May 25 and June 29 due to Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays. Participants will enroll for one of the following class meeting times:

* Mondays. Noon-1 p.m. Campus location TBD.
* Mondays. 2-3 p.m. Campus location TBD.
* Thursdays. 8-9 a.m. Campus location TBD.
* Thursdays. Noon-1 p.m. Campus location TBD.

Post-assessments will take place the week of Aug. 10-Sept. 4.

Each class meeting time is limited to 20 participants. Purdue employees who work during the program's meeting and appointment times may participate in paid status and don't need to take sick leave or vacation.

Following registration, participants will pick up a program packet from the Center for Healthy Living and will schedule their initial appointments with the pharmacist and the RN-health coach.

The results of a lipid panel test and an A1C test done within the past 12 months will be needed before meeting with the pharmacist and the coach. Participants needing these tests may schedule an appointment with a provider at the Center for Healthy Living.

Participants will be eligible for medication discounts, including 50 percent off their actual cost for preventive diabetes prescriptions, when they do the following:

* Complete the pre-assessment and the post-assessment.
* Attend 11 of the 12 class meetings, including the required Week 1 meeting.
* Continue to meet with the RN-health coach and the MTM pharmacist after finishing the 12-week class. The frequency of the meetings will depend on the participant's progress toward attaining an A1C level at or below 7.

Medication discounts will begin the week of May 18.

Participants will be removed from the program for failing to respond to three consecutive follow-up outreach communications from the registered nurse, pharmacist or both, following a missed consult visit.

Details about the Living with Diabetes program are available online. Questions about the program should be directed to Ellen Welch, wellness coordinator, at 49-45239.

CHL workshops are free and for benefits-eligible faculty and staff and for spouses/same-sex domestic partners covered on a Purdue medical plan. For more information on services offered at the CHL, visit the center online.

The center is open for provider appointments 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lab hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For assistance after hours or on weekends, contact the Anthem nurse line at 888-279-5449.