AllCare Clinic aims to increase diabetes awareness and treatment

Jonas Lutjen, a junior at Ole Miss, has dealt with diabetes since he was 3 years old. He must monitor what he eats, get plenty of exercise and keep track of his blood sugar levels in order to remain healthy and fight off other potential health problems.

“The hardest days for me to deal with it are the days when I am not doing anything,” Lutjen, a player on the Ole Miss tennis team, said.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and more than 11 percent of Lafayette County residents are affected by this life-altering disease. It can decrease sensation in feet, lead to long-term problems such as hypertension and high cholesterol, and strike at any time. Although usually associated with the elderly, it is becoming more prevalent in younger ages.

More than 26 million people in the world have diabetes but are often unaware of their condition or do not take the proper steps to keep the disease controlled. AllCare Mississippi, a family urgent medical clinic in Oxford, recognizes this alarming truth and is taking a stand to educate Oxonians about living responsibly with diabetes.

Kymberly Van Every, family nurse practitioner and owner of AllCare, realized the importance of educating diabetes patients once she saw the poor health conditions in Mississippi.

“We are number one in a lot of bad things,” she said. “I want to do my part to change that.”

Van Every began hosting a free monthly “Diabetes Day.” The day educates those diagnosed with diabetes on how to control the disease in a way that will not interfere with daily life.

First Choice, a diabetes supply company, comes to the clinic and meets with patients to help educate them about the responsibilities that diabetics face. This free event teaches patients about diets, sugar checks and regularly monitoring the body. In addition, attendees receive complimentary arm meters to check blood sugar and can even have molds of their feet taken in order to receive a free custom pair of shoes.

Van Every sees every service provided as beneficial, but thinks the free shoe mold is the most helpful to patients because of the general lack of knowledge of diabetes’ impact on feet.

“When one has diabetes, they lose sensation in the feet and often times cannot feel if they have a cut or step on something,” she said. “This loss of feeling can be traumatic and can lead to a diabetic sore or slow the healing process and set the patient back.”

First Choice provides technology that takes an exact mold of the foot in order to create custom shoes that cushion the feet and give diabetics the necessary foot support. Those who come to “Diabetes Day” covered by Medicare are offered this service free of charge as a preventative method.

Although this is a unique and useful service, every service provided helps those diagnosed.

“You never know who or what will come in the door,” Van Every said. “We have to be prepared to adjust accordingly based on patient needs.”

Blair Holmes, a student resident at AllCare Mississippi, understands the complicated nature of diabetes and the fact that many patients remain uneducated about how to care for themselves properly.

“It is something you always have to ask about,” she said. “There is so much to know about diabetes and to figure it out you have to learn it from somewhere or someone.”

Lutjen recognizes the need for patient education when it comes for caring for diabetes.

“People with diabetes have to know what to do about it, otherwise it’s really hard or almost impossible to handle it well,” he said. “This event would be a great resource for anyone who is unsure of how to properly care for their diabetes.”

Although those diagnosed with diabetes may have to make a few changes to their lifestyle, not all diabetic patients find living with the disease a burden. Hannah Burson, a senior biology major who has family members with diabetes, said it’s important to get into a routine in order to keep diabetes under control and alleviate stress.

“Once you get into a rhythm and know how everything works, it’s easy to handle and makes life that much easier,” she said.

This rhythm is exactly what Van Every is trying to achieve with patients once a month. 

The next “Diabetes Day” will be held Sept. 21st at AllCare Mississippi.