COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT DISEASE MANAGEMENT EDUCATION
WHAT IS A DIABETES EDUCATOR?
A diabetes educator is usually a registered nurse (RN), registered dietitian (RD), or pharmacist (RPH) with a special interest and training in caring for people with diabetes. They are specialists whose job it is to help you understand your diabetes better and teach you what you can do to keep it in good control. Diabetes educators work closely with other members of your healthcare team.
HOW CAN A DIABETES EDUCATOR HELP ME?
A diabetes educator can give you the knowledge, skills, and support you need to succeed with diabetes self-management. They will address any of the concerns or questions you may have about diabetes. They will help you understand what is going in inside your body. A diabetes educator will help you learn important self-care habits which will help you keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.
WHAT ARE THESE IMPORTANT SELF-CARE HABITS?
Important self-care habits for a person with diabetes include:
· Healthy eating (i.e. balanced diet, healthy choices, portion control)
· Active living (i.e. aerobic exercise, toning, stretching)
· Taking medication (i.e. understand how medication works, when to take it)
· Self-monitoring (i.e. blood sugar, blood pressure)
· Easing stress (i.e. coping with diabetes, managing stress)
· Dealing with potential problems (i.e. high and low blood sugars, sick days)
· Reducing risk of complications from diabetes (i.e. checkups, lab tests)
WILL WORKING WITH A DIABETES EDUCATOR HELP ME AND MY UNBORN BABY STAY HEALTHIER?
Research studies show that the most important thing a pregnant diabetic can to do protect her unborn baby’s health and reduce complications during pregnancy and delivery is to keep her blood sugars in a healthy range. Diabetes education has proven to reduced blood sugar, blood pressure and to significantly improve health outcomes for pregnant diabetics and their unborn babies (Statement from the American Association of Diabetes Educators, 2014).
WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO LEARN FROM KIDNEY DISEASE MANAGEMENT EDUCATION?
Here is a list of the main topics covered during kidney disease management education sessions:
- Understand kidney function and malfunction;
- Nutrition guidelines to preserve kidney function;
- Recognize life threatening symptoms;
- Actions to take to minimize complications associated with kidney disease;
- Exercising with kidney disease; and
- Mind-Body exercises to support kidney function.
WILL I GET HELP PUTTING TOGETHER A PERSONALIZED HEALTH PLAN WHICH WILL ADDRESS MY UNIQUE HEALTH NEED
Yes! Disease management education is much more than just education. Disease management programs include assessment of health status, self-care behaviors, and knowledge about diabetes or kidney disease. As you work through the disease management program, you will be developing your own personalized health plan with your counselor. Lastly, your counselor will provide you with behavioral change tools and support, so you can successfully adopt new health habits included in your health plan.
WANT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A CERTIFIED DIABETES CARE AND EDUCATION SPECIALIST?
Positive Patterns for Life has a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist on staff who can help you understand diabetes and/or kidney disease and how to best care for yourself. Kidney disease management includes 2 or 3 sessions. Diabetes management for prediabetes or gestational diabetes includes 3 to 4 sessions. Type 2 diabetes can vary from as few as 3 sessions up to 10 sessions, depending on the severity of the individual's condition.
If you would like to make an appointment with the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, CLICK HERE and scroll to the middle of the 'Changing Habits' page.
If you have questions about scheduling an appointment, or how to fill out the forms for your appointment, or if you are unsure we will be able to help you with your specific health issue(s), or any other questions ... use the "CONTACT US" form on the HOME page or use the yellow message button in the lower right corner of this page, to send a message.
ARE THERE FORMS THAT I NEED TO COMPLETE BEFORE MY FIRST SESSION?
YES!! All people need to complete the Client Consent form. All people with diabetes or prediabetes need to complete the Diabetes Health Questionnaire. Email your completed form(s) to positivepatternsforlife@gmail.com prior to your appointment.