For more than 38 million Americans with diabetes, it is one of the most difficult diseases to manage. The most dying illness in the United States is often catastrophic complications such as blindness, renal failure, cutting, heart disease, and stroke. UF Health's diabetes education and nutrition programs provide resources and practical approaches that people manage diabetes and avoid such problems.
This program provides healthy diets, exercise and drugs personalized education. Through the introduction of doctors, patients receive services such as medical nutritional therapy and self -management training for diabetes, and provide necessary tools to control diabetes. Every year, patients come to discuss their progress and make sure they are proceeding smoothly in their maintenance plan.
Medical nutritional therapy includes a one -on -one session with a registered nutritionist who helps patients set realistic goals and creating a diet that suits their lifestyle, and their favorite foods without damaging health. You can enjoy.
Self -management training begins with individual evaluations by educators in diabetes, followed by group classes that cover various diabetes management topics.
Diabetes management is not a versatile proposition. In countless variables that affect treatment, each person's experience may vary greatly. Therefore, the program customizes care and management according to the needs of each patient.
“Diabetes is one of the diseases we really want to encourage self -management,” said program manager coatnepentes.
The goal of the program is to provide knowledge, skills and resources to the participants, and seamlessly integrate diabetes management into your own life.
The unique features of this program focus on setting specific, measurement, achievement, relevant, and timely smart goals. These goals support long -term successes, supporting the weight of diabetes management or approaching other aspects without being irritated or overwhelmed by patients. This is helpful for patients to build sustainable lifestyles.
UF Health is affiliated with Alachua County Health Department to host a support group on the last Wednesday of every month. Patients led by diabetes educators share experience and provide emotional support.
“Emotional support is as important as medical support,” Puentes said.
Nutrition plays an important role in diabetes management. In nutritional education, patients learn how to count carbohydrates and how to make healthy eating habits without feeling blessed. The idea is to create a realistic diet plan that takes personal preferences and lifestyle and emphasize Puentes messages.
The US Diabetes Association recognizes the UF Health program to meet the quality standards.
Less than 25 % of 38 million Americans in diabetic patients have achieved the target level of glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. However, only 5 % of the beneficiaries of Medicare use educational services that can help them.
For those who are considering programs, Puentes says that UF health diabetes education and nutritional teams are passionate about working with diabetics and giving power. The introduction of doctors needs to participate, and the team supports patients to be able to manage diabetes with confidence, and support the sense of control and nurturing the way to a happier and healthy life. I am working on that.