The diabetes program at The Wellness Place of Methodist helps people with diabetes better understand their disease and teaches them to manage it in their daily lives. A doctor's referral is required.

Patients work with nurses and a dietitian, in conjunction with their doctors, to:

• Develop individual plans for personal care
• Learn disease management skills
• Increase their confidence

Services include consultations, insulin therapy initiation, diabetes education, and nutrition education. The center also provides information about several diabetes support groups.

Consultations: Patients learn how to manage their disease, with special emphasis on complications. Other focus areas are:

• Diet and exercise
• Blood glucose monitoring at home
• Use of a blood glucose meter
• Medications

Insulin therapy initiation: A registered nurse teaches patients how to:

• Prepare and give insulin injections
• Use an insulin pump
• Monitor blood glucose levels
• Recognize symptoms of high and low blood sugar

Diabetes education: The diabetes program's staff leads intensive, one-on-one and group sessions that focus on managing the disease at home.

Nutrition education: A registered dietitian on the diabetes program's staff does a nutrition assessment and works with each patient to develop a meal plan that takes into account that person's food preferences and lifestyle.

Support Groups:
Diabetes support group meets the First Tuesday of every EVEN month. (Feb, Apr, June, Aug ,Oct, Dec) It meets in the Cheyenne Conference Room, 944 Oak Ridge Turnpike at 7pm.