Diabetes Education Centre: Classes Offered

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view the classes offered about the insulin pump

• Living Healthy with Type 2 Diabetes
• Tune-Up Class
• Advanced Carb Counting
• Heart Health

All classes require a referral from a primary care provider (family physician) to the Diabetes Education Centre. If you have questions regarding referrals, please phone the Diabetes Education Centre.

 Living Healthy with Type 2 Diabetes

• Getting Started (3 hours)
  What is diabetes?
  What causes diabetes?
  Blood sugar monitoring and targets
  Benefits of physical activity
  Healthy eating basics
  Meal planning strategies
• Taking Charge (3 hours)
  Factors affecting blood sugars
  Complications of diabetes
  Carbohydrate counting
  Introduction to label reading
  Heart healthy eating
• Reviewing Medications (2.5 hours)
  Diabetes medications
  Hypoglycemia and driving guidelines
  Medications affecting blood sugars
  Over-the-couner and herbal medications
  Sick day management
  Special considerations
  Other medications commonly used by people with diabetes
• Moving Forward (1.5 hours)
  'Exercise is medicine'  - physical activity for health and wellness
  Pre-activity screening - general health questions and a brief medical assessment
  Overview of the 12-week Diabetes Fitness and Lifestyle Program, including sessions at the YMCA

  View a video about the 12-week supervised fitness and lifestyle program held at the downtown YMCA and hear what a patient has to say about the experience.

 Tune-Up Class

A group session held 6 to 12 months after the Living Healthy with Type 2 Diabetes classes to review and update information important for your diabetes management.  Some of the topics that will be discussed are: blood glucose checking, medications, weight management, activity and meal plan review. 

 Advanced Carb Counting

Learn to accurately determine the carbohydrate content of foods and match carbs with your insulin. This class is for all individuals on MDI (multiple daily injections of insulin) and is recommended for those considering an insulin pump.

 Heart Health

Learn about blood fats and how to modify your lifestyle choices to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.  Topics discussed include food fat terminology, lowering salt intake, reading food labels to make heart healthy choices and incorporating activity into your lifestyle.