Whether you’re newly diagnosed with diabetes and need education and advice or you’ve had diabetes for years and want to learn about advancements, Hancock Regional Hospital’s new and improved Diabetes Education Center can help.

The entire diabetes education program has been revamped, providing diabetes patients with more convenient options for the classes they need to control their condition. “In the past, patients would have to attend seven or eight appointments to learn everything they needed to know about their diabetes, and many weren’t doing that,” says Kathy Staples, MBA, BSN, RN, team leader of Outpatient Services at Hancock Regional. “Now we’ve merged similar topics into three combined classes that make the educational process much easier and convenient for patients.”

While the initial assessment is one-on-one, the new Diabetes Education Center offers three group classes that allow patients to learn from one another while growing from the support of others. Classes meet in the morning, afternoon, and evening and can be taken in any order. 

THE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

The American Diabetes Association certified Diabetes Education Program at Hancock Regional is taught by registered nurse Melinda Wright and certified diabetes educator Mary McCarty. During these classes, patients and their families are prepared for life with diabetes by learning about these crucial topics:

* diabetes overview that features glucose monitoring, nutritional information, and dietary suggestions

*  the importance of exercise and activity

*  acute chronic complications of the condition, as well as psychological and social adjustment to the disease

*  day-to-day issues such as managing diabetes while sick, the effects of stressors, and eating out with diabetes

“When patients leave after attending our classes,” Staples says, “they feel more comfortable about living well with diabetes and their roles in controlling the condition.”