Hualapai Tribe

Diabetes Support Group

The aim of the Diabetes Support Group is to provide a forum for participants in the Hualapai CVD Risk Reduction Program—locally known as the Hualapai Healthy Heart Program—to share experiences, maintain the bonds created in the program’s health education classes, learn new health behaviors and have fun together. The program focuses on the topic areas of diabetes and healthy eating.

The support group meets once a month from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. The meetings provide time for visiting with other members and a sharing activity. Food is provided “potluck” style.  Activities have included:

• Healthy cooking—led by a Healthy Heart staff member.
• Exercising with dyno-bands and videos—led by a Healthy Heart staff member.
• Introduction to the equipment available through the local Fitness Center—led by a Healthy Heart staff member.
• Beading—led by a Diabetes Support group member.
• Scrapbooking—led by a Diabetes Support group member.
• Healthy lifestyle presentations—offered by local and outside health educators.

The group, together with the Healthy Heart staff, has also coordinated field trips such as a trip to Phoenix to attend the Diabetes Expo and an overnight camping trip in a forested area of the reservation.

Steps Taken to Community Agreement, Approval and Implementation
The idea for the Support Group was generated by the first 10 Healthy Heart participants who completed their health education classes (Honoring the Gift of Heart Health or HGHH) and wanted to maintain the interaction and bond initiated through the weekly classes. This initial group of participants worked with the Healthy Heart staff to establish a regular evening, to send invitations and to make reminder calls to all eligible participants (those who have completed the HGHH classes).

The group is facilitated by a volunteer member. This group leader communicates with the Healthy Heart nurse case manager at least once/month to discuss outcomes of the past meeting and submit group requests for speakers, supplies or support for trips.

Funding
Costs are variable depending on the activity:

• Beading and scrapbooking costs approximately $50 in supplies; the group member who provided beading instruction was compensated $300 for four classes.
• Field trips range from $350 - $450/dollars to cover food, gas and supplies.
• When applicable, other costs include Healthy Heart Staff member time.

All costs are covered within the Healthy Heart Program budget under retention activities.

Participation
Of the 64 eligible participants, 24 have joined one or more meetings. An average of seven participants attend each meeting.

Obstacles Encountered and Overcome
Challenges:

• Maintaining Healthy Heart participants’ consistent enthusiasm for attending the group meeting; attendance is less challenging for field trips.
• Maintaining enthusiasm within the group leadership.
• Gaining new members from the eligible participants.

Strategy

• Work with the group members to generate novel activities.
• Consistently contact eligible members as a meeting reminder.
• Describe past group activities to newly eligible participants.

Keys to Success

• Commitment of the Healthy Heart staff to generate novel group activity ideas.
• Commitment of a core group of participants.
• Working with the Support group members is key. Getting the group to suggest ideas will contribute to their commitment to participate in the activity.

Contact Information
Karen Hays, RN
Healthy Heart Program
PO Box 179
Peach Springs, AZ 86434
928-769-1630
[email protected]

Mary Imus
Hualapai Health Department
PO Box 397
Peach Springs, AZ 86434
928-769-2207
[email protected]

Sandra Irwin, MPH
Director, Hualapai Health Department
PO Box 397
Peach Springs, AZ 86434
928-769-2207
[email protected]