Diabetes Self-Management Training
Our comprehensive diabetes outpatient program empowers patients by helping them understand diabetes and how to control it. The program involves 10 hours of Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) with an additional hour of follow-up during the initial 12 months. Physician referral is required.

The program is taught in a group or individual setting and is adapted to meet the needs of individual participants. Topics include:
 

• Behavior change education: This is the first step in DSMT. During clinical assessment, we record height, weight, blood pressure and a recent hemoglobin A1C level. The educator will assess lifestyle habits and medical issues to determine what types of diabetes education are needed.
• Basic diabetes management: The program addresses types of diabetes, factors affecting blood glucose, blood glucose monitoring, insulin self-management, options for insulin delivery, oral medication self-management, acute and chronic complications of diabetes, foot care, basics of exercise, stress management, and more.
• Meal planning: Topics include learning to use an individualized meal plan, carbohydrate counting, measuring food portions, eating out, reading food labels, and understanding the difference between carbohydrate, protein and fat.
• Everyday lifestyle management: Discusses dining out, use of alcohol, managing diabetes while ill, and how stress and exercise affect the blood glucose.
• Reducing risk for complications: Addresses potential complications that can result from diabetes such as retinopathy, heart disease, kidney disease and neuropathy, and ways to monitor a person’s health related to these complications.
• Insulin education: Teaches all aspects of understanding insulin dosage, injection or pump management. More details below.
• Follow-up sessions: To ensure the continued success of our patients, we schedule one-hour follow-up sessions during the first 12 months of the initial training program.

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Diabetes Prevention Program
If you have pre-diabetes, developing type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be a sure thing. The Diabetes Prevention Program teaches meaningful lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, lowers the risk of having a heart attack or stroke, improves overall health and increases your energy and well-being.

The Deaconess Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a year-long program recognized by the Center for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association. It is fully covered by Medicare (other insurance company coverage may vary), and is designed to help change and replace unhealthy habits that have been formed over the years, offering practical education and positive, encouraging support.

During the first half of the program, topics include:
 

• Eating healthy without giving up favorite foods
• Adding physical activity into a hectic schedule
• Managing with stress
• Coping with challenges that can easily derail good habits
• Choosing healthy food when eating out
• Getting back on track — because everyone slips now and then

The second half of the program is designed to enhance the skills learned and maintain the lifestyle changes already made. These sessions will review key ideas such as tracking your food and physical activity, setting goals, staying motivated and overcoming barriers. The key to success is the continued accountability and the on-going group support that develops throughout the year.

Pre-Qualifications to participate
 

• Fasting blood glucose level of 100-125
• Diagnosed with glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia or metabolic syndrome
• A1C of 5.7% - 6.4%
• Family history of diabetes with BMI >24 kg/m2 (if Asian >22)

 
Gestational Diabetes Program
Our educators work with you and your doctor to create an individualized care plan that promotes the health of you and your baby. Our staff is available to answer questions and to provide more information at any time during your pregnancy or immediately after you give birth.

Our Gestational Diabetes Program includes
 

• Nutritional counseling and modification of meal plan
• Exercise counseling
• Instruction on home blood glucose monitoring
• Insulin instruction, if necessary

In order to maintain blood glucose control and to reduce the risk for developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy, follow up care is available after the baby is born.

Insulin Education and Management
For diabetes patients who are insulin dependent, we offer many services and options.

Insulin education
Our educators teach patients, parents and caregivers about the different types of insulin and proper dosage and use. Needs vary based upon a person’s age, lifestyle, and other health conditions.  

Insulin pump education
Deciding to go on an insulin pump is a life changing decision. There are many pumps on the market today offering a variety of features and capabilities to help make life with diabetes less stressful. With so many choices, choosing the right insulin pump can be overwhelming. The following program can help patients decide
 

• Pump Readiness - This class provides education on “what life is like on a pump,” what the patient will need to do as a pump user, and what the patient needs to know when shopping for a pump. This class is for patients who have never been on a pump.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGM)
Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems provide real-time glucose readings every five minutes for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Knowing the changing direction of blood glucose helps patients who experience extreme blood glucose fluctuations manage their insulin quickly and efficiently. This can be very helpful and reduce anxiety, especially for active adults and for parents of young children who are diabetic. CGMs are also used as a diagnostic tool by physicians when determining the cause of the patient’s extreme highs and lows, to make insulin adjustments as needed.

As with our insulin pumps, there are several Personal CGMs on the market today. Patients are invited to attend our Pump Palooza to learn what is available, which style will best fit their needs and receive purchasing assistance.
   

Contact us to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment.