THE SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAM FOR INDIANS GRANT SUPPORTS THE WASHOE TRIBE COMMUNITY AND PATIENTS OF THE WASHOE TRIBAL HEALTH CENTER BY PROVIDING TWO REGISTERED DIETITIANS/DIABETIC EDUCATORS, ONE DIABETIC EXERCISE SPECIALIST, AND ONE PROGRAM MANAGER. AS A TEAM, THESE EMPLOYEES WORK WITH THE CLINIC'S PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS IN DETERMINING WHO IS AT-RISK FOR DIABETES AND THOSE PATIENTS WITH DIABETES AND PRESCRIBING THESE PATIENTS INTO THE APPROPRIATE PATHWAYS FOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS AND LOWER RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES ARE WHERE THE PROGRAM THRIVES.
THE DIABETIC EDUCATORS OFFER HEALTHY COOKING COURSES WITHIN THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED WELLNESS CENTER, AS WELL AS MANY CLASSES WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES. THEY ALSO MEET IN ONE-ON-ONE SETTINGS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND ADVICE ON NUTRITION AND HEALTHY EATING HABITS. ALSO, THEY HELP PATIENTS WHO ARE RECOVERING FROM ILLNESS OR SURGERY OR WHO HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FOOD ALLERGIES, EATING DISORDERS, DIABETES, HEART OR KIDNEY DISEASE, OR CANCER, MEET THEIR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS THROUGH COUNCILING, MEAL PLANNING, AND THERAPY.
THE DIABETIC EXERCISE SPECIALIST ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATION ON PROPER AND SAFE MOVEMENT IN ONE-ON-ONE AND SMALL-GROUP SETTINGS. PATIENTS RECEIVE REFERRALS INTO THE FITNESS PROGRAM BY THE PROVIDERS AND, TOGETHER WITH THEIR DIABETIC EXERCISE SPECIALIST, DESIGN A STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROGRAM SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS AND GOALS OF THE PATIENT; MEETING THE PATIENT WHERE S/HE IS ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL JOURNEY TOWARD LIVING A HEALTHIER, LONGER LIFE.
HERE AT THE CLINIC, THE SDPI GRANT ALSO PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS WHO ARE IN-NEED OF OPTOMETRY DEVICES, DENTAL RESTORATIVE PROCEDURES, AND PODIATRY NEEDS.
FUNDING FROM THE SDPI GRANT HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MEDICAL EXERCISE FACILITY FOR THE WASHOE PEOPLE. ITS PLANNED COMPLETION IS OCTOBER 2022. CONTINUED FUNDING INTO THE NEXT GRANT CYCLE WILL ENSURE THIS FACILITY REMAINS OPEN TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THEIR HEALTHY ENDEAVORS.