Photo: Diabetes educators Megan Jondle (left) and Maurine Thieszen (right) celebrate Sheri Hanks’ success at losing 7% of her body weight during the Diabetes Prevention Program
A recent study from the American Medical Association and Centers for Disease Control found that one in two people over the age of 60 have prediabetes. This means their blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Without lifestyle changes, it is likely to see a progression to type 2 diabetes. To help combat this, a new Medicare diabetes prevention program will be introduced at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital (SMCH) in Lake City this fall. An earlier pilot program was offered by Stewart Memorial educators, Maurine Thieszen and Megan Jondle, who received specialized training. That was so effective, recording a 71 percent reduction in new cases of type 2 diabetes, that Medicare has adopted the model. Eligible Medicare beneficiaries have coverage services at no cost-sharing through Medicare-enrolled suppliers such as Stewart Memorial. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B, have a body mass index of at least 25, have no previous diagnoses of type 1 or type 2 diabetes (other than gestational diabetes), not have end-stage renal disease and you must meet one of three blood test requirements. More information will be made available at informational session in the hospital’s private dining room on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 2:30 p.m. or Monday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. You can also contact Thieszen at 712-464-4249.
