January 09, 2004

Diabetes Diet & Resources Update

Illini and HealthQuest Hold Free Informational Meeting

Silvis, IL - Illini Hospital and HealthQuest, a senior services program, are holding a diabetes information session, called "Diabetes Diet & Resources Update" Thursday, January 22, at 1:30 p.m., in the lower level conference rooms of the Larson Center, 855 Hospital Road, Silvis.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Approximately 17 million people in the United States, or 6.2% of the population, have diabetes. While an estimated 11.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.9 million people (or one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Donna Sivertsen, a registered dietitian, will provide an overview of new diet guidelines, resources available thru support groups and programs, Medicare guidelines for reimbursement of education and a brief discussion about metabolic syndrome.

This event is geared towards seniors. Admission is free, however registration is necessary. To register, call the HealthQuest office at Illini Hospital, at 309-792-4385. For more information about diabetes, visit the Genesis Health System Web site, www.genesishealth.com or call the Illini Diabetes Care Center at 309-792-4389.

Genesis Health System and its affiliates offer a full continuum of care, including preventive, primary, acute and tertiary hospital care; home health; hospice; rehabilitation; and long-term care. Its affiliates include Genesis Medical Center, Illini Hospital, DeWitt Community Hospital, Genesis Medical Education Foundation, Visiting Nurse Association and GenVentures Inc. Serving a 10-county area of eastern Iowa and western Illinois, the Health System also operates Genesis Health Group and Genesis Behavioral Resources. For more information, visit our Web site at www.genesishealth.com.