OGDENSBURG -- Thirty-three people recently attended a free diabetes education program sponsored by Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center.

Some of those attending were newly diagnosed while others have had diabetes for 20 years or more.

The program included information on meal planning, medications, exercise, complications, and making lifestyle modifications. Speakers included Karen Cole, diabetes educator, Alison Felt, dietitian, Gerry Hourihan, exercise specialist, Dr. Michael Seidman and Ron Romano, pharmacist.

The number of persons diagnosed with diabetes continues to grow. Diabetes can lead to serious complications such as blindness, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease and lower-limb amputations. The risk of complications can be reduced, however, by obtaining control of blood pressure, glucose, and blood lipids.

Self-management education is a key step in achieving lifestyle modifications for healthy outcomes. Self-management education focuses on self-care behavior, such as healthy eating, developing an activity regime, blood sugar monitoring and preventative practices such as yearly eye exams and foot care. It is a collaborative process in which the person works with the diabetes educator to set goals and develop the problem solving and coping skills needed to successfully reach their goals.

The Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Diabetes Education Program sponsors a support group which meets every third Thursday of the month at 4 p.m.. in the Claxton-Hepburn auditorium, off Mansion Avenue. There is no charge to attend. Please join us, if you or a family member has diabetes.

Diabetes education is also available on a one-to-one basis and in group classes with Karen Cole, Certified Diabetes Educator with a physician referral. This service is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance.

For more information call Karen Cole, BSN, RN, CDE, at 315-713-5181.