Services - Diabetes Education
Diabetes Education
Certified Diabetes Educator Kathi Taylor is available for consultation and offers monthly education programs.
Click here to view the monthly calendars:
Diabetes Class Schedule 2010
For more information, call 402-223-6758
You Are Not Alone with Your Diabetes
More that 22 million Americans have this disease. Diabetes is a complex disease that requires a lifetime of treatment and support. You can develop the skills needed to become a key member of the diabetes management team. This is challenging in that you learn a new way of looking at things you’ve done all your life including eating and physical activity. Your diabetes management team will help you take one small step at a time as you develop skills in using blood glucose monitoring and other lab tests to reduce your risk complications.
Your diabetes educator is a member of your healthcare team whose role is to help you learn to take care of yourself as you deal with your fears, issues and problems you encounter along the way. The education process starts with a session designed to get to know you as a person to develop a plan that meets your individual needs – based on your age, school or work schedule, as well as your daily activities, family demands, eating habits and health plans. You are encouraged to bring family members to join you in a journey from fear of the unknown at time of diagnosis to successfully living your life to the fullest.
Beatrice Community Hospital provides two nationally credentialed services to be sure your care is always personalized and of the highest quality. Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT ) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) are individual and complementary services to improve diabetes care. For Medicare beneficiaries, both srvices can be ordered in the same year. Research indicates MNT combined with DSMT improves outcomes.
DSMT is designed to increases the understanding of diabetes and skills in making the needed lifestyle changes to become an effective member of your healthcare team. The program at Beatrice Community Hospital has earned Recognition by the American Diabetes Association. The schedule for group classes is posted on this page.
Medical Nutrition Therapy, which is a more intensive, comprehensive nutrition therapy service that relies heavily on follow-up and provides repeated reinforcement, focuses on the lifestyle changes to control diabetes and risk of complications. It is designed to help you learn to manage the ABC’s of Diabetes:
A1c less than 7
Blood pressure less than 130/80
Cholesterol – LDL less than 100
Medical Nutrition Therapy by a Registered Dietitian includes:
A review of what you eat and your eating habits
A thorough review of your nutrition health
A personalized nutrition treatment plan
Community classes are offered to provide basic information about diabetes and its prevention. Community members are encouraged to call the Diabetes Educator with questions.
Registered Dietitians are healthcare professionals who provide medical nutrition therapy and preventive nutrition counseling. RD's have:
At least a bachelor’s degree
Completed an accredited practice/training program in nutrition
Passage of a national examination and Nebraska license as a Medical Nutrition Therapist
Ongoing education
The Certified Diabetes Educator credential is used by health professionals including registered nurses, registered dietitians or pharmacists specializing in the care and education of people with diabetes. The certification process begins after the basic credentialing process is complete. It is earned by considerable experience and passing a rigorous national exam. Certification can be renewed by repeating the national exam or by continuing education and practice.