If you have diabetes, you’re not alone. Diabetes is a serious condition
that affects many people in Indiana. According to the American Diabetes
Association of Indiana, 738,000 children and adults in Indiana have all
forms of diabetes, including type 1, type 2 and gestational.1 Of that group, an estimated 160,000 have diabetes but don’t even know it.1 Additionally, at least 1.7 million Hoosiers have pre-diabetes –
a condition that puts a person at risk for type 2 diabetes.1
Our diabetes experts want you to know, that no one is “perfect,”
and your struggles are real and valid. If it feels like too much to manage
on your own, help is out there. MHP offers specific resources and help
for those with diabetes. If you have diabetes, your provider can refer
you to the MHP Diabetes Clinic. While he or she will continue to order
medications and manage your diabetes, the staff at the MHP Diabetes Clinic
consists of Registered Nurses and a Registered Dietitian who will offer
specialized support and education to offer additional assistance.
The MHP Diabetes Clinic serves those with Type 1, Type 2, or gestational
diabetes (during pregnancy). People with diabetes face many problems such
as lack of resources, difficulty affording medications and supplies, and
depression or “burnout.” These barriers make diabetes an especially
challenging disease to manage. The staff at the MHP Diabetes Clinic will
assess each patient’s situation and help develop an individualized
plan of care to better control their diabetes and other associated symptoms.
When referred to the Diabetes Clinic, one can expect his or her first visit
to be with the Diabetes Nurse. We will talk about your day-to-day lifestyle,
what is going well and what is
not going well, and then together figure out what steps we need to take to
help make managing diabetes fit into your lifestyle. Everyone’s
plan is specific to his or her needs, lifestyle, resources, strengths,
and challenges. You will follow up with the Certified Diabetes Educator
and/or Registered Dietitian either in a group setting or individually,
depending on your needs. We will meet you wherever you are on your journey
with diabetes and help you work through your struggles.
Outside of the clinic, we host a Diabetes Support Group the last Thursday
of each month with a guest speaker to discuss a new topic of interest
to the group. We provided a group weight management class, Lifesteps,
and a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program class. We also host a
Health Fair each year with many vendors, samples, giveaways, and free
health screenings.
Meet the team:
Lacy, BSN, RN, CDE (Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with Certification
in Diabetes Education)
Sophia, RN, CDE (Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with Certification in
Diabetes Education)
Lisa, RD, CSOWM, CDE (Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management,
Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with Certification in Diabetes
Education)
Source:
https://www.diabetes.org/community/local-offices/indiana