Spring into Summer and a Healthier You:

Diabetes affects people of all ages, but it occurs more often in older adults. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than one in every four Americans over the age of 65 has diabetes.

Managing diabetes can be tough, but support from health care providers, diabetes educators, community resources and friends and family can make it much easier. The first step to better managing diabetes and high blood sugar is to learn more about it.

Montana State University Extension is partnering with others to offer a series of six, free diabetes classes. These classes provide informative and interactive ways to help people with diabetes or pre-diabetes (high blood sugar)

• understand diabetes and how it affects the entire body;

• manage diabetes in a way that makes sense for them and their individual health goals;

• become more informed members of their health care teams, as they continue to work with their doctors, diabetes educators and other health care providers to improve their health.

The series kicks off Thursday, May 17, at the Richland County Health Department at 1201 W. Holly Street, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Classes then meet every Thursday through June 21. Anyone interested can register by calling 433-1206.

The classes support, not replace, professional diabetes self-management education. They are designed for people with Medicare, but anyone with diabetes or pre-diabetes is welcome to attend.