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Diabetes Self-Management Education

What is Diabetes Self-Management Education?

Diabetes is a disease that changes over time. With each change comes the need for new knowledge, skills, and adjustments in your management plan. Being proactive when changes occur keeps you on track to maintain your overall health. Diabetes care and education specialists help you navigate the seas of uncertainty and help steer you in the right direction when it comes to making decisions that affect your daily life with diabetes. Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) gives you the knowledge, skills, and support to manage your diabetes. It provides you with the foundation to navigate your daily self- care with confidence.

Our team works with you to design a management plan tailored to your lifestyle, culture, and beliefs. Best of all, we help you cope with your emotions and the demands of managing a 24/7 disease.

When should I be referred?

It's never a bad time to book an appointment with a diabetes care and education specialist, but there are a few times in your life when seeing one is especially important.

  • When you are first diagnosed with diabetes
  • At least once a year following your diabetes diagnosis or
  • When you are struggling to meet your care goals
  • When complicating factors arise, such as a recent hospitalization
  • During changes in your life and care
  • When starting a new medication, especially insulin

Is this program covered by my insurance?

Diabetes Self-Management Education is covered by most insurance plans (including Medicare), when provided through an accredited program. Currently Community Memorial’s DSME program is the only accredited program in Ventura County!

Who qualifies for this benefit?

You must have a diagnosis of Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes and be referred by your primary care provider or specialist managing your diabetes.

Community Memorial Healthcare’s Diabetes Self-Management Education program is an outpatient program available by referral through the Community Memorial Health Centers. It is the only accredited diabetes education program in Ventura County.

The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists 7 Self-Care Behaviors

Diabetes education services use a collaborative process through which people who have diabetes or who are at risk for diabetes work with a diabetes educator to receive individualized care. At Community Memorial, primary care providers and endocrinologists diagnose, treat, and oversee the management of diabetes, and our certified RN Diabetes Educators provide ongoing, one-on-one consultations in English or Spanish for individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes. These consultations revolve around the understanding and implementation of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialist’s 7 Self-care Behaviors. Learning and understanding how to implement these core principles will help you reach your health goals, give you the confidence to self-manage your condition, and increase your quality of life.

  • Healthy Eating Having diabetes doesn't mean you have to give up flavorful meals or stop eating in restaurants. Learning how to make healthy food choices will empower you to enjoy a variety of foods and share your new-found skill with loved ones!
  • Being Active Being active has many health benefits that impact your diabetes management like lowering your cholesterol, improving blood pressure, lowering stress and anxiety, and improving mood.
  • Monitoring Checking your blood sugar and other key health factors like blood pressure, kidney and foot health regularly gives you vital information to help you make decisions about your diabetes.
  • Taking Medication Insulin, pills that lower your blood sugar, blood pressure medication, cholesterol-lowering medication, or a number of other medications may work together to lower your blood sugar, reduce your risk of complications, and help you feel better.
  • Problem Solving Everyone encounters problems with their diabetes management; you can't plan for every situation you may face. However, there are some problem-solving skills that can help you prepare for the unexpected.
  • Healthy Coping It's natural to have mixed feelings about diabetes management and experience highs and lows. The important thing is to recognize these emotions as normal and take steps to reduce the negative impact they can have on your self-care.
  • Reducing Risks By understanding the risks, you can take steps now to lower your chance of diabetes-related complications.

For more information, or to speak with a diabetes care and education specialist about how to enroll in the program, call 805-948-6225.