Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and there are increased numbers of those estimated to have prediabetes. When not properly treated, diabetes can lead to a number of complications including:
- Heart disease
- Kidney failure
- Blindness
- Amputations
- Nerve damage
CNY Diabetes has a high success rate in assisting people to lose weight and lower their blood sugar levels. Group or individualized sessions cover the following topics:
- defining pre-diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes
- nutritional management (carbohydrate counting) and medications
- starting an exercise program and blood sugar monitoring
- personal health habits and complications
- working and traveling with diabetes
- insulin pump training
- continuous glucose monitoring.
Taking care of diabetes does make a difference. Learning about self-management can help you prevent or delay these complications. The professionals at the Central New York Diabetes Education Program (CNY Diabetes) will teach you how to control your diabetes and stay healthy.
About Our Educational Classes
Who should attend?
People with prediabetes or diabetes who want to learn how to successfully manage their diabetes and live life to the fullest. A family member or friend is encouraged to attend with you.
Instructional sessions are also available for people with prediabetes and gestational diabetes to support the therapeutic lifestyle changes necessary to maintain normal blood sugar control.
Where are the classes?
CNY Diabetes is not conducting face to face appointments at this time, but can schedule telemedicine and telephone appointments.
What will I learn?
Prediabetes and diabetes are controllable and can be managed through a program of diet, exercise, blood glucose monitoring and if needed, medication. Once you are aware of the techniques involved, a self-management plan becomes part of your normal lifestyle. By enrolling in the program, there are no more misconceptions or fear of the unknown. Some people with prediabetes may even be able to prevent a diagnosis of diabetes by making some changes in lifestyle.
Educational topics include:
- Defining diabetes – types 1 and 2
- Weight loss
- Nutrition management and medications
- Starting an exercise program and blood sugar monitoring
- Personal health habits and complications
- Work, insurance issues and travel
- Insulin pump training
- Continuous glucose monitoring
Who teaches the class?
CNY Diabetes is made up of certified diabetes nurse educators and registered dietitians from the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS).
What happens after I complete my classes?
Once you have completed your formal educational sessions, we follow up with you to see how you’re doing with your diabetes management and if appropriate, your weight loss. More frequent follow up sessions can be arranged. You may also take advantage of our continuing education programs offered throughout the year.
How do I enroll or schedule an appointment?
Call 315-624-5620 to schedule an individual appointment. A provider referral is required to make an appointment. We can assist you with this if necessary.
Will insurance pay for diabetes education?
CNY Diabetes is Medicare-approved and most other insurances also cover diabetes education. We can assist you with finding out if your insurance will cover the program and what to do if it does not.
A1C Testing
CNY Diabetes now offers CLIA-waived fingerstick A1c testing at our Faxton Campus location in conjunction with Centrex Clinical Laboratories. This test is not charged to insurance and is performed only if requested by the patient for a small fee. Each test result will be forwarded to the patient’s primary provider.
Need additional information?
For more information about diabetes education, feel free to contact us by phone at 315-624-5620 or email at cjacobus@mvhealthsystem.org.
For additional general information about diabetes visit the American Diabetes Association.
