Gaining Control Over Your Diabetes
Finding a healthy personal balance - learning to control your blood sugar levels through a combination of medication, nutrition and exercise - is vital to successfully managing your diabetes. Our outpatient self-management education program can help you achieve this balance. Together with your referring physician our Certified Diabetes Educators will help you learn how to take care of yourself – guide you through your treatment plan, learn to problem solve, reduce risks for complications and cope with lifestyle changes.

Comprehensive Education Program
The education starts with an initial assessment. The diabetic educators realize that diabetes is a very personal disease. By getting to know you as an individual, they can work with you to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Group instruction follows and focuses on key behaviors that promote successful self-management: healthy eating, being active, monitoring, taking medication, problem solving, reducing risks and healthy coping. Family is often encouraged to participate since successful diabetes management is a team effort.

Most insurance plans cover a comprehensive diabetes education program. A physician prescription is required. The initial assessment may be scheduled with MMHS Central Scheduling. Group classes are offered at the initial assessment.

Additional Program Offerings

Blood Glucose Monitoring Training: learn how to complete proper glucose testing, establish target glucose levels and testing schedule.

Injectable Medicine Training: learn about insulin or injectable medications used to treat and develop a personal medication plan.

Insulin Pump Training: an individualized assessment initiates the education process and then progresses through Introduction to Pump Therapy, Introduction to Carbohydrate Counting and Living With a Pump. When ready, the participants will complete the Individual Pump Start and follow-up. For the experienced pumper, the program offers Advanced Pumping and Advanced Carbohydrate Counting

Medical Nutrition Therapy: This benefit is separate from the nutrition education included in the comprehensive management course. It is intended to complement the traditional program and address personal nutrition needs. This includes an initial nutrition and lifestyle assessment, nutrition counseling and follow-up sessions to monitor progress. Nutrition counseling provides services for any age.

Gestational Diabetes Care and Management (for pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy): includes an assessment and instruction on gestational diabetes and nutrition for a healthy pregnancy.

Diabetes Self-Management Refresher Program: this program is for individuals that previously completed a comprehensive education program. The Diabetes Educators are here to help you:

• Balance your eating, physical activity, medication and blood sugar monitoring routines
• Prevent, recognize and treat high and low blood sugars
• Update your diabetes meal planning skills
• Improve your confidence in your ability to manage your diabetes

Referrals and Insurance
Participation in the outpatient Diabetes Self-Management Program requires a referral/prescription from your physician/health care provider. Most insurance plans cover the cost of education.

Nationally Recognized Care
The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at Mercy Memorial Hospital System is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and the Michigan Department of Community Health as meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Program. This award is based on a rigorous clinical review process every three years to ensure high standards of diabetes care and education.

Location
The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is located in the Mercy Memorial Nursing Center, 700 Stewart Road, Suite 105. If you have any questions, our certified diabetes educators are here to assist you at (734)240-1813.

Request Enrollment
To request placement in the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program, please call (734) 240-4188 or click here to complete an online request.