Diabetic Self-Management

What is Diabetic Self-Management Education?

This outpatient program is for individuals with diabetes. The program is a collaborative process involving the individual with diabetes, their physician and educators with expertise in the areas of diabetes management. This individualized program meets the needs of diabetics with Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes. Educational sessions are designed to help people with diabetes make lifestyle changes to successfully manage their disease. National standards for diabetes self-management education provide the structure for our program.

Diabetic Experts Available to You

• Your Physician
• Nurses
• Dietitian

• Pharmacist
• Exercise Physiologist

Schedule an Appointment

Call our Rochelle Multi-Specialty Clinic at 815-561-0009 to schedule an appointment between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Your appointments will take place in our new diabetic education room with members of our diabetic team.

A physician referral is required. Please check with your insurance company if you have any questions.

Who should utilize DSME? vertical grey line horizontal grey line

You should utilize this program if you:

  • Are a newly diagnosed diabetic
  • Have poor blood sugar control
  • Have made changes in your diabetes medication or have started insulin
  • Have experienced recent complications requiring hospitalization or emergency room treatment

Based upon your individual need, you may benefit from selected classes or may participate in the full program.

Diabetic Education Topics Covered vertical grey line horizontal grey line
  • Diabetes disease process
  • Nutritional management
  • Physical activity
  • Medications
  • Monitoring
  • Prevention of acute complications
  • Prevention of chronic complications
  • Goal setting and problem solving
  • Psychosocial adjustment to living with diabetes
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We offer a monthly newsletter specifically for diabetics giving you useful information about a variety of topics. To be included in the mailing list, either snail mail or email, call 815-562-2181, ext. 2474.

Are You at Risk for Prediabetes? vertical grey line horizontal grey line

Did you know 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has prediabetes? As you might expect, this condition often precedes a diagnosis of diabetes — individuals have high blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C levels, but they are not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. Those with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Nevertheless, not everyone with prediabetes will progress to diabetes. Lifestyle changes can make the difference.

Help Prevent Diabetes — Participate in a FREE Class!

The Diabetes Prevention Program, a large study of people at high risk for diabetes, showed that lifestyle intervention resulting in weight loss and increased physical activity can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes… and may even return blood glucose levels to the normal range. That is why Rochelle Community Hospital is partnering with the University of Illinois Extension office to launch another six-week program for people with prediabetes.

Participants will be encouraged to make real lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and incorporating physical activity into their daily lives as well as improving problem-solving and coping skills. Meetings take place with a Trained Lifestyle Coach and Dietitians in a small group setting with other people making lifestyle changes. Based on the National Diabetes Prevention Program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this proven program will meet every other week with sessions focused on teaching those with prediabetes to make achievable, realistic lifestyle changes and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.

This will be a FREE class, but a physician’s order will be required to participate. For more information, contact our Outpatient Services Manager at 815-562-2181, ext. 2580.