November is Diabetes Awareness Month: Why be part of a diabetes support group?


Diabetes Support Group at VMH ... November is Diabetes Awareness Month. The Diabetes Support Group meets monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital and is facilitated by the hospital’s Certified Diabetes Educator. Each month, speakers are invited to present to the group on a topic directly or indirectly related to managing diabetes. Pictured is Dr. Linda Carstens of Waukon Dental, who recently presented at a monthly support group meeting. The hospital’s Diabetes Support Group is free of charge. Anyone living with or supporting a loved one with diabetes is welcome to attend. Submitted photo.

By Angie Mettille, RN/CDE, Certified Diabetes Educator

Have you been hearing about diabetes support group on the radio or read about it in the newspaper? Maybe you have heard people talking about it at morning coffee. Are you wondering what it is and what it’s about? Here are some commonly asked questions regarding diabetes support group.

What is Diabetes Support Group?
An hour-long meeting held held the third Thursday of every month (except July and December) that is facilitated by the VMH Nurse Diabetes Educator. Speakers are invited to present to the group on a topic directly or indirectly related to managing diabetes. Some recent topics that have been covered are: eye and dental health while living with diabetes, gardening, carbohydrate reviews, diabetic emergencies, medication update, managing stress, and cooking demonstrations.

Who can attend Diabetes Support Group?
Anyone living with or supporting a loved one with diabetes is welcome to Diabetes Support Group.

How much does Diabetes Support Group cost?
Diabetes Support Group is free of charge.

Do you need a physician’s referral to attend Diabetes Support Group?
No, a referral is not needed to attend Diabetes Support Group at VMH. Attendees are not even required to be past or current patients of the VMH Diabetes Education Department.

What can one expect when attending Diabetes Support Group?
Attendees are asked to sign in upon entry and can be seated at the tables set up in the large conference room of the hospital lower level. They are welcome to coffee or water. The speaker that has been scheduled for that date usually arrives early to set up and starts presenting promptly at 10 am. Some presenters have a power point presentation or handouts to share with the group relating to the topic being discussed. The presentation lasts about 45 minutes leaving time for questions at the end.

Some presentations are hands-on, such as gardening or food presentations with samples provided. The topic of the following month is shared with the group before their departure. Attendees are encouraged to provide ideas on topics they are interested in or issues they are currently facing. An email or letter is also sent at the beginning of each month announcing the topic that will be presented at the following meeting.

Waukon resident Roger Bublitz has been attending support group for over four years, rarely missing a meeting. He states, “The monthly diabetes support group meetings are low key and attending is a very important way to keep up with what’s new in diabetes. Also, the re-education is helpful to maintain good sugar levels.”

For more information about Diabetes Support Group at Veterans Memorial Hospital, or to be added to the email or mailing list, call Angie Mettille, RN, CDE at 563-568-3411.