Find Your Nearest Diabetes Education Program
Education is essential in the treatment of diabetes, and people with diabetes are encouraged to take an active role in the day-to-day management of their own health care. Self-care, however, requires certain skills. These can be learned at one of Ontario's Diabetes Education Programs.
At each program, a team of educators is available to teach people skills that help them care for themselves. This team has a nurse and a dietitian. It may also have a social worker, clinical psychologist, foot care specialist, pharmacist and/or physiotherapist. Formal certification of diabetes educators by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board is encouraged.
Programs offer group classes as well as individual counseling to clients. The programs provide both initial and follow-up education and management.
As well as promoting self-care, the team develops a special management plan for each individual to help them understand how to relieve diabetes symptoms, prevent or treat complications, and improve the quality of life.
Effectively educating those with diabetes accomplishes the following:
- reduces acute diabetes complications;
- decreases foot problems;
- shortens or eliminates the need for hospitalization;
- improves long-term blood sugar control
- reduces and/or prevents the onset of long-term complications
- supports self-management
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