The Salem Health Community Health Education Center is offering multiple sessions of an evidence-based diabetes self-management class for the Spanish-speaking community this spring.

That includes one session from February to March in Salem, and another from April to May in Woodburn.

The class is meant for anybody who currently has a diagnosis of diabetes, is pre-diabetic, people living with or caring for a diabetic patient, or those simply looking to change their lifestyle and gain some knowledge.

“A lot of the information is meant for anybody,” said health educator Catia Garibay.

From lifestyle changes to medication

The six-week series takes place for two and a half hours every week. Each week focuses on a different topic.

During the first class, Garibay explains what diabetes is and how it functions in the body. She uses models to demonstrate how the pancreas works and how that connects to diabetes.

The following weeks are focused on healthy eating.

“Folks can see what a balanced meal looks like. What are good examples and portions of proteins, carbs, vegetables and fruit,” Garibay said. “We talk about why it’s important to balance meals when trying to manage your sugar levels.”

By week three, people can start meal planning in groups.

“The class is very interactive. One group does breakfast, another lunch, another dinner, and we go over it as a group to make sure the meal is balanced. If not, what’s missing?” Garibay said.

The fourth week demonstrates the importance of physical activity. The fifth week focuses on balancing the difficult emotions that come with a diagnosis.

On the final week, the health educator talks about the importance of medication management and building a good relationship with one’s care team.

Building trust

“Those who are Spanish speaking are sometimes hesitant to take medication,” Garibay said.

Garibay discusses the importance of taking medication as directed and communicating with a provider if a patient is feeling unsure.

“You can both work as a team to manage your condition,” she said.

In the past, CHEC educators received positive feedback about this class.

“I had a couple who was coming, a wife and husband. The wife was more the support person for the husband, and he was very skeptical of being diagnosed and not wanting to change his habits or take his medication,” Garibay said. “He was having about 12 tortillas per meal.”

By the end of the six weeks, Garibay said he was down to three per meal and taking his medication.

“They wrote us a letter to thank us for how we changed his life. He feels so much better now that he’s managing his sugars correctly,” she said.

Overall, the health educator said the goal is building trust and getting people familiarized with the tools needed to manage their condition.

How to sign up

The free class will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, starting Feb. 6, at the Community Health Education Center, in Salem Hospital Building D.

The second session will take place at the same time on Wednesdays, starting Apr. 2, at the Woodburn Public Library.

Interested in learning more? Register here.