Guest guest Posted May 24, 2004 Report Share Posted May 24, 2004 > > > DeKalb Memorial sponsors diabetes support group > > > BY CINDY BEVINGTON > cindyb@... > > > > > The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at DeKalb Memorial Hospital > helps diabetics learn to control their disease from a whole-body perspective, > including learning to cook and eat properly. Program participants meet once a > month in a day-long session, which includes a tasty lunch prepared in the > hospital kitchen. photo by Andy Barrand. > > The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at DeKalb Memorial Hospital > plays a key role in helping diabetics learn to cope with their disease and to > make their lives as full as possible. > > While the hospital’s program has been around about 20 years, it only > recently achieved national accreditation with a certificate of recognition from the > American Diabetes Association. What that means is that it meets national > standards for diabetes self-management. The accreditation runs through May 2006, > and is renewable. > > The program addresses all the various aspects or components of diabetes > management, according to registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, Lynn > (R.N.C.D.E.). introduces the course with information on general > diabetes life skills and how to avoid emergencies, such as extreme highs or lows > in blood glucose levels. > > The program is structured so that participants meet just once a month at the > hospital from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. > > “It’s intense,†says. “It includes a working lunch, which our > cafeteria prepares. We also have Jim Holb, who also is a certified diabetes educator > as well as a registered dietitian, who goes over the nutritional aspects of > their meal planning.†> > A common misconception that newly diagnosed diabetics have is that they’ll > never get to eat good food again, says. “But that’s not the case, not > even with sweets. What it comes down to is portion size and all things in > moderation.†> > A registered pharmacist, Greg , talks to the group about diabetic > medications and the variety that are available to diabetics today, including > insulin and long-standing oral medications that help target specific organs in > the body. > > For example, insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Sometimes people > need a medicine that reminds the pancreas to work. Or, another medicine will > target the cells of the body, to tell them to allow the insulin to work. > > “They also have medicines for the liver, to tell it not to release > additional glucose. Sometimes patients need a combination of different medicines — and > that’s the doctor’s job, to work with the patient on what they need.†> > In the support group setting, the patient is the center of the program, with > day-to-day testing a necessary component of the program, which in turn helps > the patient determine which foods raise his blood sugar levels. > > Another segment of the day-long support group meeting > > includes presentations by Dooley, R.N., on foot care and the > complications with feet that can come from having diabetes. > > “We know that when diabetic blood sugar is not well-managed, a person can de > velop neuropathy — meaning they lose sensation of their nerve endings,†> says. “When that happens they can easily injure their feet and not be aware > of it, so it’s very important to take care of your feet — in extreme > instances, people have even had to have amputations because they didn’t take care of > their disease or their feet.†> > The program also addresses kidney disease — many people probably don’t > realize that a majority of people on kidney dialysis have end-stage renal disease > that at some point was caused by diabetes, says. > > A whole-body approach to other diseases and complications of diabetes, such > as heart and cardiovascular disease, as well as retinopathy, also fill the > group’s agenda. > > Registered nurse Vickie Faux also addresses the benefits of exercise, a very > important component of diabetes management. Licensed clinical social worker > Tammy Wolfe works with patients on stress management, goal-setting and > behavior modification. > > During lunch, checks group members’ weight and blood pressure, and the > patients demonstrate their skills at checking their sugar levels. Holb also > talks one-on-one with each patient about their individual nutrition plans and > needs. > > “It’s all collaborative,†says. “The whole goal is to help each > person develop and improve their self-care skills.†> > So far, 150 to 200 patients have attended the program each year, for the > last 10 years. The format changes from time to time, but new patients of all > ages are always welcome, says. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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