The Holy Cross Diabetes Education Program provides education on a full range of lifestyle and clinical issues related to diabetes.

Program education covers the following topics:

• Diabetes overview
• Stress and psychological adjustment
• Family involvement and social support
• Nutrition
• Exercise and activity
• Medications
• Blood glucose levels
• Prevention, detection and treatment of acute and chronic complications
• Foot, skin and dental care
• Behavior change strategies, goal setting, risk factor reduction and problem solving
• Benefits, risks and management options for improving glucose control
• Use of health care systems and community resources
• Preconception care, pregnancy and gestational diabetes

Instruction is offered in a group setting as three, three-hour classes, taught over a three-week period. Classes are held on Monday evenings and Thursday mornings. In addition to group meetings, class participants meet individually with the registered nurse to learn how to use a blood glucose meter and with the dietitian to discuss food choices.

Upon completion of the course, most class participants are able to self-manage their diabetes on a day-to-day basis, with the assistance of their health care team.

For more information about our diabetes education program, call Linda Nuttall, diabetes educator, at 301-754-7448.