People with diabetes should see a diabetes educator at four critical times. In conjunction with National Diabetes Education Week (November 6-12, 2016), the American Association of Diabetes Educators has created a new video illustrating when to see a diabetes educator as identified in a Joint Position Statement released earlier this year by AADE, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Diabetes Association. Those four times are critical moments in the life of someone with diabetes:
- When someone is diagnosed
- Yearly check ins
- When a new challenge is presented, such as financial or emotional distress, or medication issues
- When there are changes in a persons healthcare: physician, insurance, moving to a new location, or experiencing age-related issues
In addition to the video, AADE is releasing new tip sheets throughout the week for diabetes educators, people with diabetes and their caregivers:
Mental health and diabetes (diabetes distress, stress, anger and depression)
- Cardiovascular issues associated with diabetes
- Insulin infusion sets
These resources can found at www.diabeteseducator.org/ndew
AADE is hosting a Twitter chat with the FDA on November 15 from 1 – 2 p.m. EST. Participants should use #AADEandFDAchat.
Diabetes educators help people with diabetes manage their condition through self-management and training. The curriculum is largely based on the AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors™ --
- Healthy eating
- Being active
- Monitoring
- Taking medication
- Problem solving
- Healthy coping
- Reducing Risks
Diabetes education teaches people how to self-manage their condition and is a proven way to lessen the complications that are often associated with diabetes, including circulation and vision problems, kidney failure, even heart disease and stroke.