Richland Center, WI – Have you ever been frustrated with your diabetes? Have you wished for someone to problem-solve with? Do you want factual information about how to manage your diabetes? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) can help.
A CDCES has studied the various components of diabetes management and passed a rigorous exam. The Richland Hospital and Clinics has a CDCES team onsite that works closely with primary care providers. Our team consists of Registered Dietitians, who became CDCESs after working for years with people with diabetes.
Registered Dietitians have six years of education in nutrition and health sciences, and pass an exam demonstrating competency in helping manage disease states with nutrition. Registered Dietitians are the only health care providers in our state certified to offer personalized nutrition prescriptions to people based on their health conditions.
What happens at a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support visit? Your history, concerns and interests are discussed with a CDCES. Together you decide what to learn about or work on first. This often starts with clearing up confusing messages you may have heard about the disease. It may be learning about what diabetes really is, or “How did I get it?” Other common topics include eating, activity, medications, checking blood sugars, problem solving, healthy coping and reducing the risks of diabetes.
Technology is another common discussion item, with Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) being a current hot topic. These devices read blood sugars continuously, saving many finger pokes, and are a diabetes safety device as they alarm before serious low blood sugars occur. They also show varying blood sugar response to different foods, activity, etc. providing knowledge that can improve overall blood sugars and A1c’s. Many people ask how to get one, how to use it – and keep it on, and what to do with all of the information it provides.
More people are also asking about insulin pumps as the FDA recently cleared one for people with Type 2 Diabetes. Our CDCES team works with the 3 most commonly prescribed CGMs and insulin pumps.When should you attend Diabetes Self-Management and Support sessions?
Meeting with a CDCES often leads to lower blood sugar levels, cost savings, and improved quality of life. If you would like a Diabetes Specialist close to home, with a 99th%ile Press Ganey patient care ranking, that will support and empower you on your diabetes management journey, set up an appointment with a CDCES at the Richland Hospital. Call 608-647-6321 ext. 2480. Grace Denman and Ty Mulholland are here to help.
The Richland Hospital and Clinics is a nationally awarded health care facility dedicated to caring, educating, and healing. Providing compassionate care for 100 years to residents of the greater Richland County area, TRHC operates an independent, integrated group medical practice in three locations, including rural health clinics in Spring Green and Muscoda and a critical access hospital at its primary location in Richland Center, WI.
