Proper diabetes treatment and education can help you stay healthy. The goal of the Type 2 Diabetes BASICS Program at SSM DePaul is to show you that you can learn to live well with diabetes.
Without proper treatment, diabetes can lead to serious nerve, heart, eye or kidney problems - but this does not have to happen to you. A little knowledge about diabetes can go a long way in keeping you healthy while living with this serious disease.
The Type 2 Diabetes BASICS Program can be your first step toward living well with diabetes. Many health care professionals at DePaul Health Center will help you along the way, including your doctor, diabetes nurse educators and registered dietitians.
The BASICS Program is a series of four classes.
Scheduling
Individual appointments are available for those on insulin, or for extra instruction. To enroll in classes or an individual appointment, call 314-344-7024.
Class 1
Teaches basic diabetes knowledge and how food and physical activity effect blood glucose levels. Clients receive individual food plans and blood glucose test training, along with the confidence to manage diabetes.
Class 2
Clients learn about interpreting blood glucose readings as well as meter maintenance and quality assurance, heart disease risks, and how food and activity effect blood glucose levels. This class is held two weeks after Class 1.
Class 3
Clients gain an increased knowledge and skills, including foot care and sick day management, blood pressure and targets, strategies for adapting food and activity plans for dining out and special occasions. This class teaches what to do if at least half of blood glucose readings are not within target range. This class is held about three months after Class 1.
Class 4
Teaches about the effect of stress on diabetes and strategies for stress management. Also discusses the history of diabetes and the implications regarding treatment, ongoing diabetes care and monitoring of diabetes complications. Clients will learn five simple eating behaviors that will help them follow a meal plan, resources for continuing diabetes education and community diabetes support services. This class is held about six months after Class 1.