TAVERNIER -- The Mariners Hospital Diabetes Care Center is offering self-management refresher courses to diabetes patients covered by Medicare.

Medicare will pay for two hours of diabetes self-management training every calendar year.

"Even if somebody has gone through our 10-hour self-management training program, they are eligible to come back for a tune-up visit once every year," said Clair Heffner, Mariners Hospital diabetes nurse educator.

"New things are always happening in the diabetes field and this two-hour refresher course will help people with diabetes keep up with the latest information."

During the tune-up session, Heffner and patients will discuss current medications, glucose monitoring, meal planning, exercise routine, foot care, weight and status of behavior change goals.

The Mariners Hospital Diabetes Care Center serves ages 18 and older with type I or type II diabetes. During the 10-hour outpatient training program, attendees learn how they can manage their disease better, how to avoid the complications of diabetes and how to attain a healthy lifestyle.

Classroom topics include medication, diet and lifestyle modification as well as strategies for the prevention of serious complications. The program offers one-on-one counseling with a diabetes nurse educator and a registered dietitian as well as consultation with an exercise physiologist and a registered pharmacist.

A physician referral is required for both the two-hour and 10-hour programs.

The Diabetes Care Center is located in suite 206 of the Tassell Medical Arts Building on the hospital's campus at 91550 Overseas Highway. Call 434-3036 to set up an appointment.