Diabetes Police

As a person with diabetes, have you heard this? “Did you check your blood sugar?”, “Should you be eating that?”, or “Are your numbers too high again?” Diabetes police are those individuals who police every move someone with diabetes make. These individuals usually have good intension since they are worried about something bad happening to you. However, the policing makes you feel frustrated and helpless.

To deal with diabetes police, first try to find out what this individual is doing that actually helps you to manage your diabetes. Talk to the individual and thank him or her for helping. Both of you need to discuss your feeling regarding diabetes (worries, frustrations, or guilt).

Then decide what kind of help you need with your diabetes control. Redirect him/her to ways that can help. This person is looking for a purpose in helping you to control your diabetes. Be specific (“I need you to remind me to check my blood sugar; however, I do not need you to yell at me if I forget”) or (“I need you to suggest we go on a walk together, instead of telling me to exercise”).

Talking about feeling and what your diabetic police is already doing to help are good ways to allow the individual to use his/her police badge for good.

To learn more about diabetes, consider attending Group Diabetes Classes at Wayne HealthCare. This program will provide you with the knowledge to help make healthy lifestyle decisions regarding your management of diabetes. The classes are for individuals who are newly diagnosed and individuals who have had diabetes for years.

Group classes meet once a week for four weeks. During the classes you will learn the following: 1) facts associated with diabetes, 2) the relationship between diabetes and healthy eating, 3) the value of monitoring and using the blood glucose results, 4) the importance of exercise, 5) how diabetic medications work, and 6) ways to reduce risk of complications.

The cost is $40 for the series of four classes. The next group classes will be held April 2, 10, 16, and 23, 2012 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Pre-registration for the classes is required.

If you prefer to meet individually with the Certified Diabetes Educator, you can receive education regarding Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).

Consider attending Diabetes Day on April 14, 2012 from 8:30 am to noon. The program will have the following speakers: Dee Carrington PTA will discuss “Diabetes and Exercise”, Matthew Painting DPM will discuss “Diabetes and Foot Care” and Karen Droesch RD,LD,CDE will discuss “Nutrition Tips”. The day also consists of venders and refreshment breaks. Registration fee if $5.00 if you pre-register before April 10, 2012 or $7.00 at the door.

For more information regarding the programs offered by Wayne HealthCare Diabetes Self Management Program or to sign up for class please call 937-547-5750.