Diabetes Education & Prevention Programs

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Over time, diabetes can lead to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

There are two of Boone Memorial Health’s Community Wellness Programs that are designed to help patients in our region. The first is the BMH Diabetes Self-Management Education Program to help patients who have diabetes manage their conditions at home. The second, the BMH Healthy Lifestyle Program, is designed to help prevent diabetes by encouraging healthy lifestyle changes among its participants. Learn more about each of these beneficial programs.

BMH Healthy Lifestyle Program

Make positive healthy lifestyle changes by joining the BMH Healthy Lifestyle Program!  This year-long program, which BMH originated in 2018, has been researched and certified by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). Participants receive education and resources regarding nutrition, stress reduction, healthy living, and diabetes prevention.

Click the tabs below to learn about the program.

The BMH Healthy Lifestyle Program provides participants with education and resources regarding:

  • Nutrition & healthy diet
  • Stress reduction
  • Healthy living
  • Diabetes prevention

Specific topics include:

  • How to read food labels
  • Calorie & carbohydrate counting
  • Portion sizes
  • Eating more fruits and vegetables
  • Decreasing sugary drinks
  • Drinking more water

In addition, participants learn about mindless and emotional eating as well as physical activity and the importance of getting adequate sleep.

The BMH Healthy Lifestyle Program is a year-long program.

Participants are expected to attend classes once a week for the first six months, which is considered the Core Program.

During the second six months of the year, class participants meet twice a month, which is considered the Post Core. During Post Core, the class instructor will reinforce the information taught during the first six months.

Classes last approximately one hour and are held at:

1607 Smoot Avenue
Danville, WV

Providers and interested parties can submit a registration request at any time. Classes launch at various times throughout the year.

​*Class space is limited
*Age Requirement: 18 years and up
*Children are not permitted in class sessions. Please make arrangements for childcare.

A new round of 2024 Healthy Lifestyle classes begin on June 5 and June 6. Get complete details by clicking here.

To register for the BMH Healthy Lifestyle Program, you must complete one of these two steps:

1) Physician Referral – If your physician/primary care provider feels you can benefit from the program, ask he/she to make a referral. Your primary care provider should call Ladie Viars, RN, at the number listed below.

OR

2) Screening Tool – If you don’t have a physician referral, you can complete a short screening tool. Program Director and Trainer, Ladie Viars, RN, will review and determine if you qualify. Download and print a copy HERE

​Complete and mail to:

Boone Memorial Health
Attention: Education
701 Madison Avenue
Madison, WV 25130

OR

Scan and email to:

education@bmh.org
304.369.1230 ext. 4504

Weigh-ins, which are private, are held weekly for participants.

BMH Diabetes Self-Management, Education & Support Program (DSMES)

NEW SESSIONS BEGIN OCT. 16, 2024. REGISTER TODAY!

Boone Memorial Health offers a Diabetes Self-Management, Education and Support (DSMES) Program to help people with diabetes learn how to take the best care of themselves. DSMES provides an evidence-based foundation to empower people with diabetes to navigate self-management decisions and activities. It is a cost-effective tool proven to help improve health behaviors and health outcomes for people with diabetes and will teach you how to stay healthy and how to make what you learn a regular part of your life.

​It’s important to take diabetes education classes when you first find out you have diabetes so you can learn how to take care of yourself. However, it’s never too late to learn how to manage your diabetes.

Click the tabs below to learn more about our DSMES program.

The BMH Diabetes Self-Management Education Series Helps Patients:

  • Make better decisions about diabetes
  • Work with their health care team to get the support they need
  • Understand how to take care of themselves and learn the skills to:
    • Eat healthy
    • Be active
    • Check their blood glucose levels
      • Take medications appropriately
      • Solve problems
      • Cope with the emotional side of diabetes
      • Reduce the risk of other health problems

Diabetes education is important because:

  • People who have the knowledge and support to manage their diabetes are healthier than those who do not.
  • Learning how to control your diabetes will save money, time, and help you have fewer emergency and hospital visits.
  • Knowing how and when to take your medication, how to monitor your blood sugar (glucose), and how to take care of yourself, helps you manage your diabetes better.
  • Managing your diabetes will help you avoid or delay serious health complications.
  • The skills you learn will help you take better care of yourself. Diabetes management starts with you.

Each DSMES class series lasts for 6 weeks.   Classes, which last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, are held once a week during that time. The class location is:

1607 Smoot Avenue
Danville, WV
(Beside United Bank)

Providers and interested parties can submit a class registration request at any time. Classes launch at various times throughout the year.

Boone Memorial Health accepts patient referrals for BMH Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support Classes from medical providers. Patients may self-refer as well. Interested individuals may contact us using the information provided below.

populationhealth@bmh.org
304.369.1230 ext. 4504

BMH Healthy Living Foundation Building

1607 Smoot Avenue
Danville, WV 25053
(Beside United Bank)

Phone: 304.369.1230 Ext. 4502

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