5 Things That DO NOT Happen At Diabetes Education

Most people are not familiar with diabetes education services, or what we will talk about at diabetes education. In fact, only about 60% of people with diabetes have had any formal diabetes education. At diabetes education, we really focus on the self-care skills that will help you manage your diabetes every day. That includes:

• Health Eating
• Being Active
• Taking Medication
• Monitoring Blood Glucose
• Healthy Coping
• Problem Solving
• Reducing Risk

We break down the information in "small bites" and work together with you, step-by-step from where you are currently to where you want to be in managing your diabetes. Our job is to help you reach your goals.

For all the things we will work on together, there are 5 things that we WON'T DO at diabetes education. 

Here they are:

1. We won't give you a list of foods you can't have. After talking with us, you will discover that a diabetes meal plan is really a healthy way of eating that your whole family can share with you. Even treats such as ice cream, or chocolate, can be worked in with a little planning and some knowledge about sensible portions.
2. We won't act like the "diabetes police". We are here to help, not criticize! Wherever you are at with your diabetes care, even if your blood sugars have never been in control, or you have given up trying, we are here to meet you wherever you are today and together, we can find a way  to move forward to a place of health and healing.
3. We won't judge you based on your blood sugar numbers. We know that diabetes is a real challenge, and we know that nobody has perfect blood sugars all the time. We also know that blood sugar numbers are just that- a number, and they're not a judgment about your value as a person. 
4. We won't expect you to change overnight. Change is not easy! Making changes in your life, like the way your eat, exercising, or doing new things like checking your blood sugar takes practice and effort. Most new habits take weeks or months to become part of your routine, and that's okay. We are here to encourage you while you learn.
5. We won't have a "magic cure". There is no one perfect diet, medication or exercise plan that works for everybody. Each person is different and unique. The internet is full of websites that promise to "cure" diabetes, but they aren't giving the full story.

Diabetes educators are here to help you learn how to take care of yourself, learn about your treatment plan, and help you deal with fears and barriers that get in your way of reaching your goals.

https://www.diabeteseducator.org/living-with-diabetes 

Diabetes and Flu Prevention

 Influenza ("the flu") is a respiratory illness that is caused by influenza viruses. In the U.S., flu activity peaks in the fall and winter months. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older, especially people at high risk. One of the groups of people considered high risk for influenza is people with diabetes. This is because people with diabetes- even if it is well-managed- are more likely to become seriously ill and require hospitalization if they get the flu. Having the flu can also make diabetes worse by making it harder to control your blood sugar.

Because it takes about 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect, it is recommended for people to get their flu shot as early in the season as possible- September or October. If you did not get your flu shot yet, you still have time- flu vaccines can be given any time during to flu season. Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the flu. Other ways to help prevent the flu are: 

•  Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated.

If you think you have the flu, call your doctor's office. There are antiviral medications available to treat the flu, and they are more effective if they are started within 2 days of getting sick.  

Here are some places where you can find more information about diabetes and flu:

CDC: Flu & People with Diabetes 

American Diabetes Association: Flu and Pneumonia Shots

Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists: Diabetes and Vaccines

COVID-19 and People with Diabetes

By now, you've likely heard about the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) infection. You may have also heard or read that people with diabetes have special concerns in relation to this disease. What we are hearing now from the U.S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is that people with diabetes have a higher risk of experiencing serious complications from this virus if they become infected. All people, including those with diabetes, are being instructed to take steps to avoid becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus.

There are things you can do to help prevent the spread of this disease. Family members and people who are close to you should also take steps to help prevent infection. The CDC, the American Diabetes Association, and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists have provided information for people with diabetes on their websites in relation to COVID-19. You can find links to their websites here:

American Diabetes Association: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

U.S. CDC: Steps to Prevent Illness

Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists: Tips for People with Diabetes

Diabetes: There's No One Size Fits All Solution

Many, many, people ask us, "What's the BEST time to check my blood sugar?", or, "What's the BEST diet to eat?" Each person is different and has their own unique schedule, routine, family obligations and life situation. What works for one person doesn't work for another. Our tastes and preferences in food are especially unique to each person. Taking care of your diabetes is not a once size fits all situation.

When people come to diabetes education, we take the time to learn about your personal preferences, your life situation, and your daily routine. Our goal is to help you create a plan to make diabetes self-care work for YOUR life.

Sometimes as human beings, we hang on to old habits or routines that no longer work for us. Perhaps the soda pop that helped you power through extra long work days or the exhaustion of raising young children is now making your blood sugar soar way too high. Maybe the "farmhouse breakfast" of your childhood- eggs, bacon and potatoes every morning- just doesn't work for your body now that you don't have to do heavy farm chores anymore. Maybe you grew up in a time when you could not leave the table until your plate was "all clean", even if your belly was way past the point of being full, but now those habits are leading to weight gain. Our life circumstances change and our bodies change over time.

Diabetes brings with it a lot of changes- taking medication, checking blood sugar, eating differently, and exercising. Many people struggle with change- it's not easy! Each person needs to make their personal choices regarding how, and when, and what changes they are going to make. Your diabetes educators, and the rest of your care team, are here to help you get the information you need to make informed decisions, decide what changes you want or need to make, and how to go about working diabetes self-care into your life.

Time for Spring Cleaning (Your Diabetes Routine)!

Spring is here! Finally, a long winter is slowly losing it's grip and the season of spring is creeping in and waking up the trees, flowers and fields all around us. There's just something about the sun finally peeking out again after months of cold and darkness that gets our energy flowing again. For many people, this means it's time to clean up our yards and homes and remove winter's traces and let in the fresh spring air.

Spring is also a chance to clean up the ol' diabetes routine too. Maybe over the winter, you slipped back a bit in your eating habits or exercise. Believe me, you're not alone! With the new season upon us, why not take an opportunity to bring your healthy habits out of hibernation and give your diabetes care routine a fresh start. Here are 3 "spring cleaning' ideas to help you get on track with your diabetes care.

1. Clean up the cupboard:
When the winter weather drives us indoors and the days are shorter, it's easy to eat more than usual, especially the grains and starchy foods. Now might be a good time to take a look at your cupboards; the chips, crackers, cookies and other "carbs" that we crave through the winter can pack on the pounds and drive up blood sugar. Fresh fruits and vegetables are coming into season and that can mean prime-time for catching good deals at the grocery store. The spring and summer months can be a great time to enjoy more fresh fruits and vegetables and get the meal plan back on track.

2. Dust off your exercise routine:
We know that through the winter, it's hard to get outside and exercise and it's hard to find things to do to be physically active inside. There's just so many more opportunities to be active when the weather is welcoming. If you've spent the winter inside and haven't been active for a while, you might have to start slow and work your way back in shape. Set small, achievable goals; any activity is better than nothing at all. Generally, it's recommended to get about 30 minutes of physical activity, most days of the week. If you're not sure if you're healthy enough to exercise- ask your doctor.
*Watch out for those marathon yard-work sessions! Sometimes people get so busy on these first nice spring days, that they forget to come inside and eat. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can happen when you are more active than usual and you skip a meal or eat late. To be safe, carry a source of glucose (sugar) with you in case you have a low blood sugar reaction, and stick with your usual meal schedule.

3. Check those test strips:
Did you know that the glucose test strips that you use to check your blood sugar have an expiration date? Maybe you've heard that many foods are actually okay after their "use by" date? Well, that does not hold true for glucose test strips; they are not good after their "use by" date. That's because a blood glucose test relies on a chemical reaction in the strip that is read by your blood glucose meter. There is a tiny amount of chemical in those strips that with time, deteriorate and affects the quality of the test. Check the expiration date on your test strips, and throw them out if they are expired. Depending on the model of meter that you use, some meters will not give a result if the strips are expired. Other meters might give you a result, but the result will not be accurate if the strips are outdated. Time for a new supply!

Have a safe and happy spring season!

What is Diabetes Class?

Hills & Dales General Hospital offers diabetes education services to help people learn the information and skills they need to manage their diabetes. One of the services we provide are diabetes education classes. Here are some frequently asked questions about our diabetes education classes:

When do you offer classes?
We start a new class series every other month. Each series is 4 classes, and meet for 2 hours each. We vary the times that each series starts (morning, afternoon and evening) to try and help people fit it in their schedule.

How many people are in your classes?
We keep our class sizes small so that everyone has a chance to participate and ask questions. Most classes have between 4-8 people attending.

What happens at diabetes class?
We sit around a table together; it's not a lecture! The educator sits with everyone and we use a visual aid called a Conversation Map to guide our discussion. We work to help everyone participate to the level that they are comfortable with and make sure that your questions are answered. Some people are very talkative and like to ask a lot of questions. Other people are more quiet and would rather do more listening than talking. Whatever your style is, we can work with you.

What if I miss one of the classes, can I make it up later?
Yes, if you miss a class and want to come back another month to make it up, you are welcomed to do so.

Who teaches diabetes class?
Our diabetes classes are taught by both the nurse educator and the dietitian.

What do you talk about at diabetes class?
Class One: The class covers the basics about diabetes- what it is, what type of diabetes you have and how diabetes is managed, including meal planning, exercise and coping with stress.
Class Two: In this class, the Registered Dietitian will lead a discussion about the relationship between food and diabetes and how to make a healthy meal plan to help control your diabetes.
Class Three: This class is all about blood sugar- what is the goal range for blood sugar, what to do if it is too high or too low, what are the signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugar, and times for checking your blood sugar at home. We will also discuss how to plan for disasters and emergency situations when you have diabetes.
Class Four: We discuss medications that are used for treating diabetes, how to prevent long-term complications of diabetes, and vaccines that are recommended for people with diabetes. We will talk about your goals for managing your diabetes and help you make a plan to achieve your goals and get the support you need to stay on track.

Do I need an order from my doctor?
Yes, insurances (including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance) require a doctor's order. If your insurance permits, we can also accept an order from a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant if that is who provides your medical care.

Do you bill insurance for diabetes class?
Yes, we will bill your private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid for the classes.

What if I don't have insurance?
Hills & Dales General Hospital offers a financial assistance program for people who do not have insurance, or who have high deductibles or co-pays. Please ask about our financial assistance program and we can get you an application. You can get information about the hospital's financial assistance program at the hospital's website: https://hdghmi.org/about/financial-assistance/

Does my insurance cover the cost for diabetes class?
It depends on your insurance. Medicare will cover the cost for diabetes class, but only once: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/diabetes-self-management-training
Michigan Medicaid also covers the cost of diabetes classes. For private insurances, we have to check. We can either check with your insurance after we get an order from your doctor, or, you can check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the cost of diabetes classes and if you have any co-pay or deductible costs.

What if I have special needs and cannot attend a group class?
We can accommodate people who have special needs and require individual instruction instead of
a group class. Some examples of special needs include, but are not limited to, vision or hearing impairment, physical limitations, cognitive impairment, or language needs. Insurance often requires that your doctor identify the needs that you have in order to approve individual instruction instead of a group class.

If you have any other questions about diabetes classes or would like to contact us, our phone number is (989)912-6365.

The prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) service was recently awarded to the Hills & Dales General Hospital service on December 12, 2018. The DSMES service was originally recognized in January of 2007. ADA believes that this service offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.

 

The Association’s Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational services meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. The DSMES Standards were developed and tested under the auspices of the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1983 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000, 2007, 2012, and 2017.

 

DSMES services apply for Recognition voluntarily. Services that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. “The process gives professionals national standard by which to measure the quality of services they provide, comments Kathy Dropeski, RN, CDE.  “And, of course, it assures the consumer that he or she will likely receive high-quality service.” Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for four years.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)2017 National Diabetes Statistic Report there are 30.3 million people or 9.4% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 23.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 7.2 million people are not aware that they have this disease. Each day more than 3,900 people are diagnosed with diabetes. Many will first learn that they have diabetes when they are treated for one of its life-threatening complications – heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve disease, and amputation. About 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 18 years or older in 2015.  Diabetes continues to be the seventh leading cause of death in the US in 2015 as it contributed to 252,806 deaths. 

 

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy and information for health professionals, people with diabetes and the public. Founded in 1940, the Association continues to support people affected by diabetes nationwide.

 

For more information on Recognized education services in your area or other American Diabetes Association programs, call  the ADA office at 1.800. DIABETE (342-2383) or contact the ADA online at www.diabetes.org/erp