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!
Monday, April 8, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019
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.
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.
Thursday, January 3, 2019
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)