Denton County Living Well Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 17

Supporting People Living with Diabetes: Texas Health Denton’s Diabetes & Nutrition Center is First in Denton County For residents of Denton County living with diabetes, support is now close to home. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton is the first healthcare provider in Denton County to be accredited by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for its outpatient Diabetes & Nutrition Center. Operated by a multidisciplinary team of diabetes educators, registered nurses, registered dietitians and physicians on the medical staff, the center’s goal is to assist patients in developing management skills to enhance their lifestyle. skills needed for successful diabetes management. Open to adult and pediatric patients across Denton County and surrounding areas, the center offers: Empowering patients to self-manage their diabetes can help improve health outcomes for patients and reduce readmissions due to non-adherence to prescribed diabetes care plans. The program is offered on an individual or group basis, depending on the needs of the patient. • Group and individual counseling for Type 1, Type 2, gestational and pre-diabetes • Availability of a pediatric endocrinologist on the Texas Health Denton medical staff • Child-appropriate education for pediatric patients and parents • Instruction in insulin pump management, blood sugar monitoring and managing medications • Personalized nutrition counseling to fit different tastes and lifestyles • Education on how to detect and prevent diabetes-related complications • Exercise, stress management and behavioral education • Monthly support group meetings for patients and families Support is important, and the professionals at the Diabetes & Nutrition Center want people living with diabetes to know that they are not alone. In fact, diabetes affects the health of 9.8 percent of the Texas population of Texas – approximately 2.6 million people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Diabetes is a chronic disease that impacts so many areas of a patient’s life,” said Karen Bruner, R.N., CDE, diabetes program manager at the Diabetes Education & Nutrition Center. “We are very excited to be able to provide this service for our community. With approximately 30 percent of our admissions here at Texas Health Denton having a diagnosis of diabetes, the need is rising for quality diabetes education. Now, our community has common educational classes and individualized services which will help our patients lead healthier lives.” Comprehensive Education The Diabetes & Nutrition Center provides comprehensive education based on the ADA’s national standards for diabetes self-management. The center collaborates with physicians o