Diabetic Education Program
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is proud to offer a comprehensive Diabetic Education Program to adults and children diagnosed with the condition in the Upper Peninsula.
- Recent data show that more than 38 million people of all ages in the US are living with diabetes, and these rates continue to rise.
- Not being able to adapt to a diabetes diagnosis properly can lead to numerous health complications that can negatively impact one’s quality of life.
- The Diabetic Education Program at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital offers a dedicated resource to help diabetic patients in Manistique take control of their health.
Getting diagnosed with any form of diabetes can be a challenging experience for anyone, as this condition calls for immediate changes to one’s lifestyle in order to stay healthy. We are proud to provide the educational resources necessary to help patients truly take control of their diabetes care.
Download our Diabetic Education Info Card to learn more
What is the Diabetic Education Program at SMH?
The goal of our Diabetic Education Program is to provide diabetic patients with the tools necessary to lead happy and fulfilling lives. Diabetic education can be done one-on-one or in a group setting. Either way, these programs instill real-world skills that patients with diabetes can apply to everyday life.
Our comprehensive Diabetic Education Program offers information about:
- Diet
- Exercising
- Monitoring blood glucose
- More…
Simply call Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital’s Diabetic Education Coordinator at (906) 341-3200 ext. 3409, and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you.
What Can I Expect from the Diabetic Education Program?
At Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, we believe that for our Diabetic Education Program to be effective, it must be focused, personalized, and engaging.
Our program is facilitated by our Diabetic Care Manager, who works with patients in a highly focused one-on-one setup. The patient can also bring along a loved one to accompany them.
The First Consultation
The first consultation lasts about an hour and is held in our Rural Health Clinic in Manistique, Michigan. In this intensive session, our Diabetic Care Coordinator starts by talking to the patient about what they already know about diabetes and their diagnosis.
From there, the patient is guided in setting goals and instructed on how to meet those goals with the right strategies. The patient will be given diet recommendations along with other helpful lifestyle changes.
Follow-Up Visits
The person with diabetes is encouraged to visit our diabetic educator once a month, unless there is a change in medication. The diabetic care coordinator will determine the most appropriate follow-up visits, which may be done over the phone.
Diabetic Education FAQs
Why is diabetic education important?
Diabetic education can be given to patients with prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. For all three types, diabetic education provides them with the knowledge and tools that they need to manage their health.
What differentiates diabetic education from independent personal research about the condition is that diabetic education programs do more than present facts. These programs are also great opportunities for patients to set goals under the guidance of a medical professional.
Patients who join this program will also receive the encouragement and emotional support that they need from a qualified expert. The urgency and consistency of action provided in these programs are also crucial for both diabetic and prediabetic patients.
Why is diabetic education crucial for prediabetic patients?
Why is diabetic education crucial for prediabetic patients?
Harvard Health found that patients with prediabetes have a 10 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within one year and up to a 70 percent chance of developing the condition within their lifetimes. Moreover, people with prediabetes have a higher risk of heart disease than the average person.
Prediabetes, however, is not a permanent condition. With the proper administration and application of diabetic education, patients with prediabetes have a better chance of delaying and even preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes, along with the heightened risk of heart disease.
What can happen if I don’t manage my diabetes?
Although type 1 and type 2 diabetes are typically lifelong conditions, self-management is key to maintaining optimum health and well-being. Through lifestyle changes facilitated by diabetic education, patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can prevent the worsening of their condition and the complications associated with it. Possible health complications of poorly managed diabetes include the following:
Diabetic Retinopathy
High levels of sugar in the blood can damage the retina of the eyes, thereby impairing vision. The chances of developing this complication increase with poor self-management. Over time, diabetic retinopathy can lead to a permanent loss of sight.
Diabetic Nephropathy
High blood glucose levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, as well as the kidneys’ filters. This condition can further progress into chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
Diabetic Neuropathy
High blood glucose levels not only damage blood vessels but also nerves. Nerve damage among diabetic patients is most often seen in the legs and feet.
Heart Attack and Stroke
High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart. This is why diabetic patients can be highly susceptible to heart attacks and strokes if they do not employ proper self-management.
Dry Gangrene
Because high blood sugar can cause damage to the blood vessels over time, this can lead to tissue death known as dry gangrene. Tissue death is irreversible and would need to be surgically removed. Dry gangrene is common in the body’s extremities, such as the feet or hands.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis can happen to all diabetics, but it is more common in those who have type 1 diabetes. This is a life-threatening health emergency due to the buildup of ketones.
Who needs diabetic education?
Diabetes is serious and can be challenging to cope with alone. For this reason, diabetic education is not only for patients with diabetes, but also for their loved ones.
An informed loved one can:
- Help keep the patient accountable to apply what they learned in the program.
- Offer sound encouragement and timely reminders of education when necessary.
With the right instructional design, diabetic education programs can be for everyone. This is why the experts at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital have spent the time and effort needed to create a Diabetic Education Program that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
How do I sign up for the Diabetic Education Program at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital?
To sign up for our Diabetic Education Program, you can call us at (906) 341-3200 ext. 3409 or ask your Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital primary care physician about registration.
Discover Comprehensive Diabetic Education & Care in Manistique, MI
The Health Education team at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is dedicated to helping you stay healthy. That is why we are proud to offer a comprehensive Diabetic Education Program, designed to empower patients with the knowledge and skills to manage their health effectively. This thorough program provides detailed information and personalized support for individuals struggling to manage their diabetes diagnosis.
To learn more about our Diabetic Education Program or to sign up, please call us today at (906) 341-3200, ext. 3409. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey to a healthier life.
