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.
