Friday, November 15, 2013
November Is Diabetes Awareness Month - Come learn with your local diabetes educators!
Living well with diabetes is well within your reach but it can be a challenge.
You may have been given lots of new information when you were first diagnosed. Your family doctor may have been talking about things like low blood sugar and checking your feet – but you were still getting used to your new diagnosis. Maybe you were thinking “Diabetes? Me? What does that mean? Can I still eat my favourite foods? How could this happen?” It is normal to feel overwhelmed. Diabetes educators can help when you’re first diagnosed and during your journey of living with diabetes. You can meet with a diabetes educator and they will work with you to set goals and work through any questions you may have.
You may have been diagnosed a few years ago, but are struggling to get to all of your medical appointments and feel tired dealing with everything. Maybe you are thinking “I need to get my eyes checked, feet checked, and blood work done – I am taking so much time off work. I feel like diabetes is taking over my life! And the testing strips are so expensive!” Diabetes educators can help you to better manage your disease, provide personal support and spend time discussing any concerns you may have. You can go back to a program anytime you need, not just when you are first diagnosed.
The Renfrew County Diabetes Education Program is a regional program administered by the Pembroke Regional Hospital which offers diabetes education services across five hospital sites in Renfrew County - Arnprior Memorial, Deep River & District, Renfrew Victoria, Pembroke Regional and St. Francis Memorial along with 15 outreach sites - Arnprior Villa, Quail Creek in Renfrew, Calabogie Family Health Centre, Fairfield’s in Eganville, Pikwakanagan in Golden Lake, Rainbow Valley CHC in Killaloe, Whitewater Bromley CHC in Beachburg, Petawawa Centennial FHT, Petawawa Apartments for seniors, Riverview Heights (Pembroke), Heritage Manor, Supple’s Landing, Marianhill, Miramichi Lodge and Community Mental Health at Carefor in Pembroke.
You can speak to someone from the program by calling 1-855-293-7838.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes Education
What is Diabetes Education? Diabetes education programs and diabetes educators provide much of the information, knowledge and skills needed to manage well as you live with diabetes. Diabetes Education covers topics such as meal planning, physical activity, medications, carb counting, diabetes complications and stress management.
What do Diabetes Education Programs provide? A Diabetes Education Program provides information and support related to the management of diabetes, pre-diabetes and associated risk factors and co-morbidities.
Programs generally offer group sessions and one-on-one sessions to educate people living with diabetes on how to manage their disease. Family members are welcome to attend. The staff may also provide cooking classes, grocery store tours and presentations within the community at health fairs and related events.
Who will I see when I go to a Diabetes Education Program? Diabetes Education Programs have both nurses and dietitians, otherwise known as diabetes educators, to support you in managing your diabetes and its symptoms. The nurses and dietitians have received specialized training in the field of diabetes. Many of the program staff are Certified Diabetes Educators meaning that they have conducted additional training and passed exams related to diabetes management and care.
How will Diabetes Education help me?
Diabetes Education can:
- Assist in the prevention of risks and onset of diabetes complications.
- Educate individuals with pre-diabetes or diabetes on self-management skills to improve health and well-being through individualized goal planning.
- Provide medication counseling, including insulin initiation.
- Educate individuals living with diabetes on the importance of having their quarterly and yearly visits with their primary care providers and allied health professionals. And much more!
Who can go to Diabetes Education Programs? People living with diabetes are encouraged to attend group or one-on-one sessions at the onset of diabetes, during transitions or changes (ie. going on new medications) or anytime to refresh their knowledge about how best to self-manage and get additional support.
There is no charge to access Diabetes Education programs and you do not need to be referred by a doctor or specialist for most services.
Adults can be referred to the program by a health care provider (family doctor, pharmacist, nurse, physiotherapist, social worker etc.), or they can self-register, which means they can sign themselves up anytime by calling the program. Services related to insulin initiation and management do require a referral from a family doctor or specialist.
Diabetes education services including screening, assessment, individual and group classes, follow-up consults, telemedicine services with specialists and public awareness sessions for the community, are provided by diabetes education teams consisting of registered nurses and registered dietitians.
The educators work in collaboration with family physicians, endocrinologists, pharmacists, other healthcare professionals and family members to deliver client-centred self-managed care for individuals living with or at risk of developing diabetes.
Referrals to any diabetes education clinic can be self-directed or physician and provider directed. To access services which help prevent diabetes or improve diabetes control by achieving a healthy lifestyle, or for more information call 1-855-293-7838.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Karen Roosen, Diabetes Education Coordinator
Pembroke Regional Hospital
(613) 732-3675 ext. 6530 / karen.roosen@pemreghos.org
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