Working as a Team for Chronic Care Management

A combination of health problems brought Sharon Carey to a specialized department at the medical center

Jefferson, Iowa - Over 25 years ago, Sharon Carey was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. She said genetics and environmental factors both played a role in its development. “This is in my family, it is kind of a hereditary thing,” Carey explained. “Now, my son has it and my daughter has it. But I also don’t exercise as much as I should.”

Carey lived in Churdan for more than 50 years. However, about three years after the death of her husband in 2015, she made a move to Jefferson. This also brought her to Greene County Medical Center for her ongoing healthcare needs.

For many years, Carey managed her Type 2 diabetes with oral medications, but as time passed, it progressed, leading to the daily injection of insulin. She started at once per day but was frightened by the prospect of having that increase to as much as three or four times per day.

The diabetes coupled with stomach issues she was battling made Carey a candidate for the Chronic Care Management program at Greene County Medical Center. She works closely with nurse coordinator, Katie Nelson, RN. “We talk about every 10 days or two weeks,” she said. “She tries to keep me on the straight and narrow.”

During their sessions, Nelson will check Carey’s glucose monitor and discuss what has happened since they last met. She provides advice on lifestyle adjustments for lowering her blood sugar numbers while maintaining quality of life. “Any suggestions she gives me I try to do,” Carey said. “Katie is really good, very knowledgeable and able to help me find solutions.”

She also works with Greene County Medical Center Dietitian, Erica Vandenberg, who has helped her design a personalized nutrition plan that factors in her healthcare and exercise history, goals and food preferences.  

Carey admits this has not been easy, especially since she is often tripped up by a love of ice cream.  “They do tell me I need to get those numbers lower, to work harder on my diet and exercise and I am doing what I can,” she said. “They have made suggestions for ice creams with lower carbs, and that has been helping.”

Although there is a lot of hard work involved, Carey is grateful for the Chronic Care Management Team at Greene County Medical Center. She said the more she learns about how to manage her chronic conditions, the more she feels in control of her life and less frightened about what her future holds. 

The Chronic Care Management program at Greene County Medical Center provides patients with two or more chronic conditions access to round-the-clock care to help keep treatments on track while achieving their health goals. Referrals are required. Visit with your primary care provider to see if you qualify, or call 515-386-0526 for more information.