Diabetes and Your Health
Our Diabetes Self-Management Education program can provide education and support to help you manage this disease. The “Living with Diabetes Program” is accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists and is taught by a Registered Nurse and a Registered Dietitian. Our diabetes care team will help you learn how to eat healthily, be physically active, monitor blood sugar levels, take medication, solve problems, reduce risks for other health conditions, and cope with the emotional side of diabetes.
DiabetesSelf-Management Education
Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is a collaborative and empowering process that helps you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to manage your diabetes, a complex and challenging disease. A provider referral is required to participate in the program, which most insurance and Medicare cover.
| STEP ONE | STEP TWO | STEP THREE |
|---|---|---|
| Request a referral from the provider who is currently managing your diabetes. After your referral, the KCH scheduler will call to set up an appointment. | Complete an in-person or phone health assessment with the Diabetes Educator. Then set a goal and make an individualized plan to help you manage your diabetes. | Attend the Diabetes core classes: Living Well with Diabetes and Eating Well with Diabetes. After the core classes you may choose other classes that you think will be beneficial. |
Benefits of our Accredited Diabetes Care and Self-Management Program:
- Gain an overall understanding of Diabetes Care and Self-Management.
- Learn to eat healthier, manage your medications, and monitor your blood sugar.
- Gain tools to set achievable weight loss goals.
- Learn ways to increase activity levels, understand diabetes, the ability to give yourself injections, and increase your ability to handle complications (vision and mobility issues, low energy, painful hands/feet).
- Learn to manage stress and emotions that can impact your diabetes.
How the program works
You will first meet with a member of our team to complete a health assessment and establish an individualized education plan. Our Living with Diabetes Program consists of two “core classes” (Living Well with Diabetes and Eating Well with Diabetes) that can be taken on the same day and followed by four interactive conversation map sessions that you select. We aim to provide you with the information and support needed to manage your diabetes.
Diabetes Self-Management Programs are shown to:
- Lower A1c levels
- Prevent or reduce diabetes complications
- Improve the quality of life
- Lower your medical expenses
To attend our Living with Diabetes Program, please request a referral from the medical provider that manages your diabetes.
Please call 740.393.9797 for additional questions or information.
Diabetes Care Team
740.393.9970
We.Care@KCH.org
The Living with Diabetes program is presented by Knox Community Hospital’s Diabetes Care Team, which includes:
- Registered Nurse
- Dietitian
The American Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists accredits this program.
Diabetes is a more manageable disease today than it has been in the past. Recent medical advances have given individuals an opportunity to gain better control of their blood sugar levels and therefore reduce their risk of complications. Knox Community Hospital has offered the Living with Diabetes program since 2002.
