June 23, 2016

Open to all campuses: Center for Healthy Living program on living with diabetes offers education, support, medication discounts

“Living with Diabetes” is a comprehensive program offered by the Center for Healthy Living for people doing just that -- living with diabetes. New in the coming session is that the program is open to benefits-eligible faculty and staff on all Purdue campuses. 

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 his or her health care provider.

To participate in the program, individuals must have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes or been identified as someone with pre-diabetes from a Center for Healthy Living provider or through approved documentation from a community provider. The program is 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.

The program is available at no charge to benefits-eligible faculty and staff at all Purdue campuses – including those who have opted out of Purdue medical coverage – and for spouses/same-sex domestic partners and adult dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan. In addition, parents of minor children (covered on a Purdue medical plan) may participate on behalf of the child. Staff at regional campuses will be provided telephonic and portal support to complete the program.

Those wishing to participate in the upcoming program need to register by July 11 by calling 49-45505 and begin setting initial meetings with the center’s team members. 

The program: Who, what and when

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. Through this program, CHL team members will share their knowledge and skills to help those with diabetes better understand the disease and live a healthier life. Participants of the program have access to those expert services of the center’s health care professionals, including:

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

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

The program begins in July with the pre-assessment and continues in August with a 12-week class that meets once a week. The program also includes a post-assessment following completion of the program and ongoing health coaching and pharmacist visits tailored to the participant’s needs. 

Classes will run Mondays, Aug. 22 through Nov. 14 and Thursdays, Aug. 25 through Nov. 17. Participants will enroll for one of the following class meeting times:

* Mondays, noon-12:50 p.m. -- Hall for Discovery and Learning Research (DLR), Room 143A
* Mondays, 2-3 p.m. -- Hall for Discovery and Learning Research (DLR), Room 143A

* Thursdays, 8-9 a.m. -- Córdova Recreational Sports Center (Co-Rec), Wellness Conference Room
* Thursdays, noon-12:50 p.m. -- Córdova Recreational Sports Center (Co-Rec), Wellness Conference Room

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

Other procedures and requirements

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 diabetes educator. 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 registered nurse. Participants needing these tests may schedule an appointment with a CHL provider.

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-diabetes educator, registered dietitian 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 apply automatically through Express Scripts beginning the week of Aug. 29.

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

Details about the Living with Diabetes program and discounts are available online. Questions about the program should be directed to Kamal Singh, PharmD, at the Center for Healthy Living at 49-66833.


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