Diabetes Self-Management Education Program

About Diabetes Education
There are more than 20 million people living with diabetes today, and almost one third have never been diagnosed. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, amputation, and often leads to heart attack and stroke. It is the 6th major cause of death in the United States. Education is the cornerstone of diabetes management. People with diabetes are responsible for controlling their daily food choices and activity level, decisions for managing sickness and stress, for checking their blood- glucose levels, and for follow-up visits with their health-care team. There is no cure for diabetes at this time. Research reports that persons with diabetes, who receive education, benefit by improving their quality of life and delaying and/or preventing the complications associated with the disease. Education allows people to make permanent, positive lifestyle changes tailored to their needs. Diabetes Education is an ongoing process and a life long undertaking to maintain an understanding of current information on the management of diabetes.

Topics Covered in the Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program include, but are not limited to:

• Understanding Why You Have Diabetes
• Nutrition
• Activity
• Foot Care
• Medications
• Monitoring
• Sick Day Care
• Complications of Diabetes
• Problem Solving
• Vacationing With Diabetes

Diabetes Education Program
Diabetes classes are taught by Certified Diabetes Educators. Registration is requested and a physician referral is required for participation in the DSME program. To receive the registration packet please call:

Diabetes Wellness Center
Route 112
Patchogue, New York 11772
(631) 687-4188

The Association of Lions Clubs is an International Service Organization active in over 200 countries with over 1.3 million members. One of the primary objectives of the Lions is to eradicate preventable blindness. Lions around the world support the efforts to reduce blindness, which can occur from having diabetes. To that end, the 50 Lions Clubs of Suffolk County with over 1400 active community minded members support the efforts of the Diabetes Self Management Education Program at BMHMC. For more information about the Lions Clubs of Suffolk County: (631)-427-4448 www.suffolkcountylions.org.