Diabetes is a serious chronic condition, but one which can be managed. Successful management, maintaining blood-sugar levels in a normal range, can decrease the severity of diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage and other complications associated with diabetes. Properly managing diabetes, however, often requires lifestyle changes. Education is the key. The Diabetes Education Center at Central Ohio Diabetes Association will help you overcome these challenges.

Central Ohio Diabetes Association's diabetes self-management education program has been awarded Recognition by the American Diabetes Association in accordance with the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs.

What is a C.D.E.? A certified diabetes educator is a health-care professional who is qualified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators to teach people with diabetes how to manage their condition. Your diabetes health-care team should include a diabetes educator, preferably a C.D.E.

Classes

Diabetes classes offer a comprehensive look at self-management techniques. Registered nurses and dietitians and a certified diabetes educators teach a series of four two-hour classes. Classes include meal planning, medications, stress management and other diabetes-related topics. The fee is covered by many insurance companies. For persons on a limited income, reduced fees are available on a sliding scale. No one will be denied services because of inability to pay. Day and evening sessions are offered. To register for the class series and inquire about fees, call Central Ohio Diabetes Association at (614) 884-4400 or 1-800-422-7946. Registration is required and class size is limited.

Counseling

Individual counseling sessions teach participants how to successfully self-manage their diabetes. Topics include an introduction to diabetes, exercising safely, diabetes medications including insulin administration, nutrition and self-blood-sugar monitoring. Appointments can be made with either a registered nurse or dietitian, or together for a Team Approach to diabetes management. Central Ohio Diabetes Association can directly bill insurance for self-management training. For persons on a limited income, reduced fees are available on a sliding scale. No one will be denied services because of inability to pay. To make an appointment and inquire about fees, call Central Ohio Diabetes Association at (614) 884-4400 or 1-800-422-7946.

Case Management services provide comprehensive counseling support from a licensed social worker to clients and families facing diabetes. The social worker assists clients in assessing their needs and identifying resources to manage the demand of diabetes. All case management services are free of charge. Call (614) 884-4400 or 1-800-422-7946 for an appointment or service information.

Nutrition

A registered dietitian provides individual counseling for meal planning, food choices and other dietary management issues in addition to teaching diabetes classes with Central Ohio Diabetes Association?s nurse educator.

As a part of its Brinker Education programs, Central Ohio Diabetes Association schedules cooking demonstrations, which offer recipes and how-to advice to help individuals maintain a healthy diet, and talks on a variety of nutritional topics. Each scheduled event is subject to a nominal admission fee. To register, call (614) 884-4400 or 1-800-422-7946.

Check out Central Ohio Diabetes Association's Information Resource Center and Bookstore for recipes, cookbooks, and informational books on meal planning and nutrition.

Public Programs

Central Ohio Diabetes Association sponsors diabetes-related educational programs for the public including talks, seminars, cooking demonstrations, cooking classes and the annual Diabetes Health Fair. Topics for seminars and lectures, led by knowledgeable health-care professionals, range from daily care, to the newest diabetes-related products and updates on research developments. All public programs are subject to a nominal admission fee. To register, call Central Ohio Diabetes Association at (614) 884-4400 or 1-800-422-7946.

Special Education Programs

• The annual Diabetes Symposium is a two-day program in October where nationally renowned speakers provide the latest diabetes information to health-care professionals.
• Central Ohio Diabetes Association staff is available for in-services, lectures and consultations to other health-care professionals as well as to speak to community groups about diabetes.

Multicultural Resource Center

Visit Central Ohio Diabetes Association's lending library and check out its assortment of books and video tapes on a variety of diabetes topics. Books may be borrowed for up to four weeks and video tapes for up to two weeks.

In addition, educational and nutritional literature is available FREE at Central Ohio Diabetes Association's office, or for a nominal shipping and handling charge if mailed, on the following topics:

• General Diabetes Information;
• Exercise and Diabetes;
• Glucose Monitoring;
• Complications and Prevention;
• Insulin and Oral Medications;
• Sick-Day Management;
• Pregnancy and Diabetes;
• Travel, Vacations and Schedule Changes;
• Children, Parents and Diabetes;
• Diet Information;
• Meal Planning;
• Recipes;
• Holiday Planning and Cooking;
• Minorities and Diabetes;
• Psycho-social Aspects of Diabetes;
• Legislative Issues