What is diabetes education?
Whether you are new to having diabetes or have had it for years, when you receive diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services, you will:
- Work with a diabetes care and education specialist to set and track goals.
- Learn how to use knowledge, skills, and tools to build confidence and emotional strength to manage diabetes.
- Practice how to fit diabetes care into all parts of your daily routine—like when and what you eat and how you solve problems.
- Find ways to get support (in person and online) from your family, friends, community, and health care team.
What can you expect at your first visit?
Initial visit: we will work with you to design an individualized care plan tailored to your lifestyle, culture and beliefs. Leave your initial diabetes education visit with goals to set you up for success.
Services offered:
- Program serves pediatric and adult people living with type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and prediabetes. Medical nutrition therapy offered in addition to diabetes self-management education and support.
*Services offered vary by location.
Classes:
- Diabetes 101 & follow up: comprehensive diabetes class covering medications, monitoring, blood sugar goals, nutrition and exercise recommendations.
- Gestational: learn blood sugar goals and monitoring along with nutrition and exercise recommendations for blood sugar control in pregnancy.
- Meal Planning: Our monthly meal planning class discusses how to plan and prep balanced meals and snacks that support blood sugar goals and overall health.
Individual Consultations:
- Injectable teaching
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Being more active
- Healthy eating
- Carbohydrate counting
- Coping skills
- Reducing risks and preventing complications
- Pregnancy and diabetes
- Insulin pump therapy
- Continuous glucose monitoring
When should I see diabetes education?
When should I ask for a diabetes education referral?
- At diagnosis or if you have never received diabetes education
- Each year
- During life changes:
- Change in living situation
- New insurance
- When it is harder to manage diabetes
- Change in access to food or money
- Emotional factors (stress or anxiety)
- New health issues
- Starting a new medication
*Per the American Diabetes Association
- Insurance coverage:
- Medicare and Medicaid will cover diabetes education and nutrition counseling with a diagnosis of diabetes.
- Note: Medicare does not cover diabetes education for prediabetes. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, Medicare will cover education through The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).
- Commercial insurance: check with your insurance provider regarding your plans coverage.
Resources:
Community Engagement
If you are interested in having AHWFB diabetes education at your next health fair or organizational gathering please contact Emily Matney, Diabetes Education Program Coordinator ekerby@wakehealth.edu.
