Diabetes Services

The Diabetes Education Program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for quality self-management education. A comprehensive range of educational programs is offered to people with diabetes and their families by experienced, certified diabetes educators, registered nurses, and registered dietitians.

Explore our programs and classes through the links on the side. Please call 770-219-0887 or email our team for more information about any of these services.

FAQs

What classes or support programs are offered?
What is covered by my insurance?

Outpatient Diabetes Self-Management Education and Medical Nutrition Therapy may be covered services on your insurance plan.  Please verify with your insurance carrier for coverage of these services. Our staff can also assist you in verifying your coverage prior to your appointment.

What does a Diabetes Educator do?

A Diabetes Education can help you in several ways:

  • Understand what diabetes is and how it affects your body
  • Explain how diabetes medications work and how to safely take them.
  • Determine what types of food are best for you and how to plan meals that fit your life and budget
  • Determine the glucose monitoring routine and monitoring device for your specific circumstances
  • Help you set personal goals and track your progress
Why is Diabetes Education important for me?

Diabetes Self-Management Education/Training and Medical Nutrition Therapy are individual and complementary services to improve diabetes care. Research has shown the benefits of diabetes education on diabetes control. Diabetes self-management training and Medical Nutrition Therapy are benefits covered by Medicare and most health plans when provided by a diabetes educator within an accredited/recognized program.

A certified diabetes educator can help you adopt healthy behaviors and develop problem-solving and coping skills to help you overcome barriers you face in managing your diabetes.

How can the Diabetes Program help me?

For those diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, both individual and group sessions are available to aid participants in understanding and managing their diabetes. Please note: Physician referral is required.

What are the topics covered in the Diabetes Program?

Healthy Eating

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite foods or stop eating in restaurants. But you need to know how the foods you eat affect your blood glucose and how to incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle.

Being Active

Being active has many health benefits including; losing weight, lowering cholesterol, improving blood pressure, and lowering stress and anxiety. Physical activity can also help keep your diabetes in control by helping to keep blood glucose levels normal.

Monitoring

Checking your blood glucose levels regularly will help you make daily decisions about your diabetes management by letting you know how food, medicine, and exercise are affecting your blood glucose. It will also help you know when your blood glucose levels are on target. Always bring your blood glucose logs to your appointments to share with your healthcare providers.

Taking Medication

There are several types of medications that are often recommended for people with diabetes. Insulin and pills that affect your blood glucose along with blood pressure medication and cholesterol-lowering medication, work together to keep your blood glucose in target and reduce your risk of complications. Learning how each medication works and how to take each medication is important to keep you safe and to make sure your medications are working for you.

Problem Solving

Living with diabetes is not always easy. Everyone encounters problems with their diabetes control from time to time. There are some problem-solving skills that can help you prepare for unexpected situations that may arise.

Reducing Risks

Having diabetes puts you at a higher risk for developing other health problems or diabetes-related complications. However, if you understand the risks, you can take steps now to lower your chance of diabetes-related complications.

Healthy Coping

Diabetes can affect you emotionally as well as physically. It’s normal to have mixed feelings about your diabetes management and to experience ups and downs. It is important to recognize these feelings and take steps to reduce the negative impact they can have on your diabetes care.

Locations

We offer individual and group education sessions at the following locations:

Additional Resources

Here are a few helpful links related to diabetes education and continued care: