The NSMC Diabetes Management Program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and meets national standards for excellence. Patients and their families learn the necessary skills for managing diabetes through diet, medication and exercise.
Read about a recent graduate of our Diabetes Management Program!
Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin, made in the pancreas, is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. While the cause of diabetes is unknown, both genetic and lifestyle-factors, such as lack of exercise and obesity, are known risks for developing diabetes. Related health issues for diabetes are heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, foot and leg amputations, pregnancy complications, and death related to flu and pneumonia.
We provide a variety of educational services and counseling, including:
- Individualized assessment by diabetes educators
- Goal-setting for optimal blood sugar management
- Nutrition assessment, recommendations and meal planning
- Instructions in blood sugar monitoring, glucometer reading
- Oral medication or insulin management
- Insulin pump initiation and management
- Gestational diabetes assessment and management
Certified diabetes educators offer small group classes on the following topics:
- Eating in restaurants
- Reading food labels and carbohydrate counting
- Benefits of exercise
- How your medications work
- Traveling with diabetes
- What to do when you are sick
- How to deal with the stress of having diabetes
- Diabetes and pregnancy
Your Team Members
Working closely with you and your physician, our diabetes team will help you improve and maintain your ability to manage diabetes through lifestyle choices, medication and continuous monitoring. Your multi-disciplinary team may include your primary care physician, case manager and certified diabetes educators who are nurses and dietitians. In addition, you may be referred to an endocrinologist, ophthalmologist, or podiatrist.
Continuing Support
Making long-term lifestyle changes and closely managing your diabetes can be a difficult and complex process. NSMC offers longterm follow up through individual appointments and a professionally led peer support group. In addition, NSMC offers many programs to support you including:
- Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program for those with heart disease and risk factors including
- Diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- An exercise center featuring treadmills, rowers and weights
- Fitness and strength training classes
- Reiki, yoga, and pilates classes
- Stress management classes
- "Quit and Quit for Good” smoking cessation class
- Acupuncture and massage
Fees and Referrals
Most health insurance policies cover all or a portion of this program. Some policies require a referral from your primary care physician. Please check with your insurance company to find out which services are covered and if co-payments are required. For those without insurance or whose coverage is insufficient, special payment arrangements can be made.
For more information or to make an appointment for the NSMC Diabetes Management Program, please call the NSMC Salem Hospital at 978.741.4151 or the NSMC Union Hospital at 781.477.3409
