Diabetes Education
Diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in South Carolina, is a serious disease in which the body has trouble regulating its blood glucose (sugar) levels. There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be prevented or controlled.
The Key to Managing Diabetes
If you have diabetes, ask your physician to refer you for Diabetes Self-Management
Education (DSME) Program at the Regional Medical Center. An appointment
may be scheduled for a time that is convenient to you. Medicare, Medicaid
and most private insurance companies will pay for diabetes education.
Financial assistance may be available for others who qualify.
Inpatient Program
Consists of education about basic diabetes care while you are in the hospital. If interested in learning more about diabetes care, ask your nurse or physician to refer you to the Diabetes Educator.
Outpatient Program
Provides group support and motivation for successful self-management of diabetes. Recognized by the American Diabetes Association, this program consists of more detailed education to help you manage your diabetes. It is designed for the following individuals:
- Newly diagnosed individuals with diabetes
- Long-term individuals with diabetes who have management problems
- Gestational individuals with diabetes (develops during pregnancy)
Our DSME program has a certified diabetes educator to teach you how to:
- Understand diabetes
- Plan healthy meals
- Exercise for better health
- Monitor blood sugar
- Take medications and understand how they work
- Prevent long-term and short-term complications
- Cope with stress and develop strategies to change behaviors for a healthy life
Take the Sugar Challenge and reduce your sugar intake for 10 days. Click here
Diabetes Support Group
Individuals with diabetes who are involved in a support group often experience greater success in managing the disease. A support group is held at the Regional Medical Center. Call the number below for upcoming dates.
For more information on the Diabetes Program at the Regional Medical Center, call 803-395-514 (toll free in SC: 800-476-3377, ext. 2514).
Resources:
- Living with Diabetes
- RMC Diabetes Education Program
- National Diabetes Education Program
- dLife.com - For Your Diabetes Life
- Diabetes.org Type-2 Diabetes Information
- Centers for Disease Control's Division of Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association
