We believe that good blood glucose control starts with diabetes education. Regardless of whether you are newly diagnosed with diabetes, or if you have had it for years, the Diabetes Resource Institute offers individual consultations as well as a variety of classes to assist people with managing diabetes.
At the Diabetes Resource Institute, the team can help tailor a diabetes treatment plan that is right for each person, and helps them take charge of their diabetes. Participants are encouraged to bring a family member or other support person with them to all sessions. Questions and discussions are encouraged during class. Group and individual education sessions cover the following topics:
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Medications
- Blood glucose self monitoring
- Insulin pump training
- Pattern control of blood glucose levels
- Treating high and low blood glucose
- Nutrition and exercise
- Foot care assessment and education
- Avoiding or coping with complications of diabetes
- Diabetes management during vacation or travel
- Diabetes management during brief illness
- Use of the health care system and community resources
- Family adjustments
- Psychological adjustments
- Preventing complications of diabetes
Individualized CareAt the Diabetes Resource Institute, every patient is treated individually and will have a one-on-one appointment with a nurse and a dietician. The first visit will be an assessment in which one of our educators reviews the patient’s medical history, risk factors, diabetes knowledge and skills, culture, health beliefs and behavior. Further individual appointments may be scheduled with a diabetes nurse or dietician for people with special needs or after the completion of group classes if further education is desired.
Group ClassesGroup classes are available on a monthly basis. You and your diabetes educator will choose which classes are right for you.
Medical Nutrition TherapyMedical Nutrition Therapy is a new way to think about food and diabetes. It focuses not on what you CAN’T eat, but what you CAN eat, and how much. Balancing food consumption with physical needs, medications and exercise is vital to a diabetic treatment plan. A registered dietician works with individuals to provide personalized meal plans that are healthy, satisfying, and easy to follow. By working together, the individual with diabetes can choose meal plans that are personally satisfying.
Post-Education Follow-UpUpon completion of the curriculum, patients are advised to return in four to six weeks for a post education follow-up. This appointment allows the patient and the educator to address any questions or concerns that may have arisen in the previous month. This is a very important appointment, as often times patients are used to the lifestyle and diet changes they made, and may be motivated or willing to set new goals on their diabetes self management.
Pre-Diabetes Education
- Is your blood pressure > 130/80 mmHg
- Is your waist measurement > 35 inches (female) or > 40 inches (male)
- Is your triglyceride level > 150 mg/dl?
- Is your HDL < 50 mg/dl (female) or < 40 mg/dl (male)
- Is your Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS) > 110 mg/dl (some references state > 100mg/dl)
According to the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel (III), having three or more of the clinical criteria above is considered having the Metabolic Syndrome. Forty one million people have pre-diabetes and most do not know it (estimates are as high as 69 million). The Metabolic Syndrome is a pre-diabetic state and one-third to one-half of this population will go on to develop diabetes if their risk factors are not managed. The Metabolic Syndrome also puts you at a one to one and a half times higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Having diabetes puts you at a two to four times higher risk for heart attack and stroke.K
Medical Nutrition Therapy for Pre-DiabetesWorking with our registered dietician on meal planning, balancing your carbohydrate, fat and protein intake can assist you with maintaining healthy blood glucose levels and with the prevention of developing diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes EducationPregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year. Left untreated and/or poorly controlled can put you and your baby at risk.
Insulin Pump Support GroupOur Insulin Pump Support Group meets on a quarterly basis. You may contact ASK-A-NURSE® at 603.626.2626 to obtain the meeting schedule.