What is Healthy Feet, Diabetes, and You?
The Healthy Feet, Diabetes, and You course is another one of our services within TC LHIN. Designed to take place for one time only, the course helps individuals learn skills needed for daily foot care. Specifically, during this health education program our trained facilitators review the effects of diabetes on feet, identify factors that lead to diabetic foot ulcers, and teach appropriate foot care techniques to prevent foot ulcers.
What happens in the program?
A group of 10 participants meet once for 2.5 hours. In an interactive environment that is facilitated by two trained individuals they discuss topics such as:
- Identify factors that lead to diabetic foot ulcers
- Assess the impact of diabetes on feet health
- Use appropriate foot exam and care techniques to prevent diabetic foot ulcers
- Work with your diabetic foot healthcare team and understand the different roles of the healthcare providers
- Complete diabetic foot screening
- Commit to changing behaviours
Participants take on an active role in the course by setting S.M.A.R.T goal(s) and providing feedback on the topics covered, as well as on the knowledge they have gained from the program.
Who can attend this program?
Individuals over the ages of 18 who are living with diabetes as well as their caregivers can attend this program. The program is highly interactive and participants should feel comfortable communicating and learning from others in a group setting.
Who leads the program?
The program is led by a peer and a healthcare provider. The peer is an individual with some experience with neuropathy, foot ulcers and/or diabetic wounds. Both individuals have attended a full day training and are part of an active community of practice.
Who developed the program?
Wounds Canada, formerly the Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC), developed this evidence-based program with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).