Grundy County Memorial Hospital | Live Well | Fall 2020

Take the test A pre-diabetes risk test can help you determine if the class is for you. Go to cdc.gov/ prediabetes/takethetest . Contact Wellness Program Manager Crystal Petersen at 319-824-4154 for details on new classes or to enroll. The pandemic has caused the world to slow down—and with it, many of the ways that people connect, spend time, interact and learn. But those who are enrolled in healthy lifestyle classes at Grundy County Memo- rial Hospital (GCMH) have demonstrated their commitment to improving their health and their willingness to adapt to change, even as the coronavirus’ conta- gion has put much of our lives on hold. Staying connected GCMH Wellness Program Manager Crystal Petersen, RDN, LD, says that participants in the current session of the hospital’s Diabetes Prevention Program were just a quarter of the way through the class content when meeting in their usual small-group session at the hospi- tal was no longer possible. “The COVID-19 health crisis has thrown obstacles into many people’s plans,” says Petersen. “But our dedi- cated group was determined that the camaraderie we share would not be lost during a virtual meeting—and they are appreciative of the hospital’s efforts to continue the program via computer.” Taking steps for success Petersen says four months of weekly virtual meetings have been a success. “The mutual support and energy is still there—and so is the progress toward achieving health goals,” she says. The hospital teaches the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Prevent T2” curriculum and must demonstrate that class members have been success- ful on their journey. Petersen says not even a global pandemic has stopped class members from progressing on the steps to avoid type 2 diabetes. “The national CDC data show that pre- diabetes can often be reversed by making changes to eating and exercise habits, and our classes have met and exceeded the goals CDC sets to measure progress.” Is a GCMH healthy lifestyle class right for you? TIME…to improve your health Caring for each other Class members Harris and Linda Reiter are pleased with the small-group set- ting, whether in-person or virtual. “Just getting together, if only remotely, has kept us motivated to pur- sue our goals,” says Linda. “It is good to see and hear everyone each week, as we care about what is happening to each class member. The class is enjoy- able and has increased our awareness of small changes to improve our overall health. The pandemic has enhanced our awareness of how important overall health is.” “If there can be a bright side to a slower-paced world, it’s that many people have the time to focus on health goals right now. And our healthy lifestyle courses lead to improved numbers for several health risk factors—not only those for type 2 diabetes.” —Crystal Petersen, RDN, LD A new session of the Diabetes Prevention Program begins this fall. Enrolling may benefit you if your doctor has ever told you that you have pre-diabetes or you have one or more of the following risk factors, in addition to slightly elevated blood glucose levels: ● You’re overweight. ● You’re at least 45 years old. ● Your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes. ● You are physically active fewer than three times a week. ● You gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds. ● You had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention L I F E S T Y L E C L A SS E S GO V I RT UA L 3 Efforts to improve health outcomes are not canceled during the pandemic. The hospital’s Healthy Lifestyle courses are meeting virtually.