The KRMC Diabetes Care Program offers Diabetes Self Management Education services to those individuals diagnosed with Type 1, Type 2 or Gestational Diabetes. Family members are welcome to attend any of the diabetes education sessions. A Registered Nurse Diabetes Educator and a Registered Dietitian Diabetes Educator provide these services. As part of the group education format we also offer the service of an exercise physiologist who tailors an individualized exercise program for each participant. Social workers, pharmacists, physical therapists and other specialties are utilized as needed in the educational process.

Serving Northwest Montana

Individual outpatient educational services are offered Monday through Friday. Group outpatient education sessions are held at the Summit in Kalispell, MT. The group program offers ten education/exercise classes over a five-week period. (Two classes per week) These sessions include an active exercise component coordinated and taught by an exercise physiologist. An hour of diabetes self-management education follows each exercise session. Registration forms are available at the Summit or by contacting the Diabetes Care Program.

To schedule an individual appointment or register for group sessions please contact the Diabetes Care Program by calling 751-5454. Our fax number is 756-2716. Email address: diabetes_education@KRMC.org

Inpatient services are available on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis through the Diabetes Care Program, Home Options and Case Management Team at KRMC. If you are admitted to the hospital and would like more education on diabetes, please let your nurse know.

Medicare, Medicaid and most other health insurance companies reimburse diabetes self-management education. Please check with your insurance company regarding specific coverage under your contract. KRMC will bill your insurance carrier directly. If you do not have insurance you may apply to the Dan George Scholarship Foundation for financial assistance toward diabetes self management education. Contact the Diabetes Care Program regarding the application process.

"A diabetes educator is defined as a healthcare professional who has mastered the core of knowledge and skills in the biological and social sciences, communication, counseling, and education and who has experience in the care of people with diabetes. The role of the diabetes educator can be assumed by various healthcare professionals, including, but not limited to, registered nurses, registered dietitians, pharmacists, physicians, mental health professionals, podiatrists, and exercise physiologists."(Scope of practice statement from Volume 26, Number 1*January/February 2000 issue of the "Diabetes Educator")

The following content areas are covered in the KRMC Diabetes Self Management Education sessions:

• Diabetes: what it is, how it develops, how it is managed
• Nutritional therapy for managing diabetes
• Medications used to manage diabetes, how to use them, and side effects
• Physical Activity
• Self-monitoring of blood sugar and how to use the results
• Prevention and management of long term and short term complications
• Foot Care
• Coping and adjustment to diabetes
• Problem solving skills
• Stress management
• Behavior change strategies
• Use of the healthcare delivery system
• Preconception and post conception counseling/education

All sessions are individualized. The goal of the Diabetes Care Program is to equip people who have diabetes with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively self manage this condition and maintain optimum health with diabetes. Research has proven that client education in diabetes self management is a necessity in the overall management of this disease. Diabetes self-management education improves adherence to nutritional, exercise and medication regimens. Diabetes self-management requires lifestyle and behavior change. Through the educational process people with diabetes are provided with methods to achieve success through behavior change.

Other services provided by the Diabetes Care Program:

Monthly Support Group meetings the first and second Thursday of each month. The meetings provide an opportunity to learn more about diabetes and meet others who share similar concerns regarding diabetes.

• First Thursday: 1:00-3:00 PM at the Summit in Kalispell, MT.
• Second Thursday: 7:30 PM at the Summit in Kalispell, MT.

Community Resource for schools, physician offices, employers, long term care centers, special needs populations regarding diabetes management in other settings. Educators are available for individualized presentations to groups. Please contact the Diabetes Care Program for requests.

Community screening for diabetes is held periodically at the Summit. The Diabetes Care Program also participates in community health fairs and other community education efforts. If you would like someone on our staff to be part of your program please contact the Diabetes Care Program at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.