Diabetes Education & Management Program

Got Diabetes?

Think you’re in the desert without dessert?

Afraid you’ll never eat spaghetti again?

Not so!

Life Skills Series

Nutritional Counseling

Self Blood Glucose Monitoring

Insulin Initiation

Insulin Dose Refinement

Insulin Pump Therapy

Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Life Skill Series

The Diabetes Education and Management Program is a comprehensive American Diabetes Association  approved program that meets national standards for diabetes education. The teaching team includes diabetes educators, nurses, dietitian, pharmacists, and psychologist.  A social worker is available as needed. The three session curriculum includes exercise, medication, diabetic emergencies, coping skills, complication prevention strategies, blood glucose monitoring, and foot care. The dietitian tailors a meal plan using personal preferences consistent with the prescribed diet. The program includes 11 follow-up sessions in the year following completion. 

PRIOR to program enrollment an individualized assessment is completed by a Certified Diabetes Educator.

Physician referral is required.

There is a fee only for the participant.  There is no fee for the family member/support person attending with the participant.  Most insurers cover the cost of this program.

Nutritional Counseling for Persons with Diabetes

This class is taught in a small group setting and is designed for people who are seeking help with diabetes appropriate meal planning. It is also suggested for those seeking a refresher course on meal planning for diabetics. A dietitian tailors a meal plan using  personal preferences that are consistent with a diet prescribed by a physician. Adapting diet to lifestyle, label reading, and recipes are also dis­cussed.  This may be a good introduction to the formal diabetes education program.

Physician referral is required.

Blood Glucose Meter

Participants will receive a blood glucose meter appropriate to their needs and insurance coverage.  They will be instructed on proper use and recommended blood sugar goals.

Insulin Initiation

Initiation includes information about types of insulin and their mode of action, ways to receive insulin syringe, insulin pens, needle less systems and how to treat of high and low blood sugar levels.  In addition, the participant learns the proper injection techniques as necessary.

Insulin Dose Refinement

Despite insulin therapy, many people experience poor blood sugar control.  With regular self-blood glucose monitoring and the help of the diabetes educator, insulin doses can be adjusted so that you can achieve normal blood sugars.
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Insulin Pump Therapy

An insulin pump is a small external device similar in size to a beeper (pager) that is connected to you by a small, thin tubing.  A tiny, flexible tube, not a needle, remains under your skin and is changed every few days.  A small amount of insulin is delivered continuously.  At meal and snack times, the pump wearer enters the amount of insulin needed to manage the meal or snack.  Frequent self blood glucose monitoring is still required. 
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Continuous Glucose Monitoring

The CGMS™ is used to collect several days of continuous glucose data.  The sensor, worn under the skin, records blood glucose readings every 5 minutes.  This data is used to interpret the effects of food, medicine, and exercise on glucose levels.  The data enables the health care provider to alter treatment plans.

Gestational Counseling

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs in 15% of all pregnancies, and is usually detected at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.  Dietary intervention is the hallmark of management.  Following a 1 ½ hr. nutrition counseling session, the blood work is repeated.  Further changes can be made at that time if necessary.
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