Diabetes Education
Take Control of Diabetes
If you or someone you love has diabetes, you can control the disease and lower the risk of complications. Let the clinical experts at Watertown Regional Medical Center help develop a personalized care plan to help you manage your diabetes so you can live a longer, healthier life through the Diabetes Self-Management Training Program.
Certified Diabetes Self-Management Training Program
Our diabetes program is nationally certified by the American Diabetes Association and led by our Certified Diabetes Educator/Registered Dietitian.
Diabetes Self-Management Training is an evidence-based standard of care program that incorporates the needs and goals of people with diabetes into a personalized plan that has proven to improve health outcomes. We offer individual instruction and group classes. Your initial appointment will be approximately one to two hours to create an individualized plan.
During your first appointment, we will review your medical nutrition history, medications, and teach or review monitoring your blood glucose levels. We will create your personized goals and plan to help manage your diabetes during this one-on-one appointment as well as address any questions you may have about your diabetes.
Then the rest of the education is usually a group setting which covers topics including:
- Practical and relevant nutrition guidance
- Exercise/Physical activity
- Medications to help manage diabetes
- How to monitor, interpret and manage your glucose levels
- Continuous glucose monitoring and other diabetes related technology
- Healthy coping skills
- Preventing and managing diabetes related complications
- Ongoing health maintenance
Critical times to enroll include:
- At diagnosis
- At least once per year
- When complicating factors arise (physical, financial, emotional)
- When transitions in care occur (new insurance, living situation)
What are the Benefits of this Program?
Diabetes Self-Management Training can:
- Improve your blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1c levels
- Improve control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Improve medication adherence by teaching about the different medications
- Decrease severe diabetes-related complications
- Increase healthier lifestyle behaviors, such as better nutrition, increased physical activity, and use of primary care and preventive services
- Enhance self-efficacy
- Decrease health care costs, including fewer hospital admissions and readmissions
Referral Needed
A referral is needed for initial appointment and group classes. For assistance with obtaining a referral or to learn more about the program, talk to your doctor or contact our diabetes educator directly at 920-262-4444.
* Our diabetes program is covered by most insurance providers.
Meet Your Diabetes Educator
Caitlin Rondello, MS, RD, CD, CDCES is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wisconsin – Madison in Nutritional Science and Biology as well as her Masters of Science from Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, in Nutritional Science. Caitlin has worked at several hospitals and clinics with over 15 years of experience specializing in diabetes, heart health, weight loss and overall healthy nutrition. Caitlin’s passion is empowering others through knowledge about nutrition and lifestyle and motivational counseling to improve their health, energy and quality of life. Caitlin looks forward to working with each individual to help them achieved their goals.
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