Heal2gether ™s community outreach program takes a grassroots approach to educating the senior and diabetic populations on DFUs, early warning signs, and prevention. Through activities such as blood glucose and foot sensory screenings at senior centers, churches and health fairs; health care provider presentations about DFUs and proper foot care at community luncheons; and articles in local senior and healthcare magazines, Heal2gether is raising visibility of the condition, one community at a time.

While medical treatments can solve most complications related to diabetes, many people become overwhelmed, frustrated, and discouraged by the daily hassles of diabetes and by the unending, often burdensome self-care demands, said Dr. Susan Guzman, Psychologist at Behavioral Diabetes Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to tackling the unmet psychological needs of people with diabetes. By emphasizing education about diabetic foot ulcers and developing the relationship between the social worker and the patient, the Heal2gether Partnership Program addresses both the physical and emotional obstacles to the self-care behaviors that are critical for short-term healing and long-term success living with diabetes.

ABH is rolling out Heal2gether Partnership Programs at multiple wound care clinics in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and plans to launch the programs in other cities over the coming months. 

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