If you have diabetes, you’re far from alone. In fact, one in 11 people in the United States has this chronic disease. Despite the statistics, there’s a lot you can do to better manage your diabetes. It's all about diabetes education.
While living with diabetes is far from easy for anyone, education is an important and valuable first step. From checking blood sugar to counting carbs to watching for signs of potential complications, this disease demands diligence. That’s why diabetes self-management education can be such a powerful tool.
Even those who haven’t been diagnosed but are at high risk for diabetes can greatly benefit from education, preventive care and modest lifestyle modification.
How can diabetes self-management education help you?
Does managing your diabetes seem like a full-time job? Too often, life can get in the way of eating right, exercising, monitoring your blood sugar, taking your medications on schedule and visiting your doctor.
The good news is, Holland Hospital can help you navigate the maze of diabetes. Our Diabetes Self-Management Education Program gives you the knowledge, tools and support you need to realize long-term success.
Based on national standards developed by the American Diabetes Association, our program embraces a team approach that includes you, your loved ones, your primary care doctor and our certified diabetes educators.
Together, we can help you:
- Feel empowered to better manage your disease
- Lower your health care costs due to improved symptom control
- Decrease your risk of eye, kidney and nerve damage, and cardiovascular disease
- Increase your energy level and independence
- Enhance your quality of life
One-on-one visits and group classes are available. Some of the topics covered include:
- Type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes overview
- Meal planning for blood-sugar control
- Improving blood sugar through exercise
- Monitoring blood-sugar levels and targets to reach
- Medication management
- Insulin therapy training and insulin pump therapy management
- Preventing short- and long-term diabetes complications
Most insurance companies will cover the cost of up to 10 hours of diabetes education and nutritional counseling. So whether you’re new to the world of diabetes or just need a refresher, consider how self-management education could help you live the proactive, healthy life you deserve. For more on our classes and programs, call (616) 394-3344 or visit us online.
To your good health,
Holland Hospital Healthy Life Programs