Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. The Diabetes Education Program at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska provides personalized education and support to help you better understand diabetes and feel more confident managing your health day to day.
Our diabetes education team includes Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) and a registered dietitian who work with you to build practical skills for managing blood sugar, nutrition, medications, physical activity and other aspects of diabetes care.
Why Choose Phelps Memorial for Diabetes Education?
At Phelps Memorial, diabetes education is focused on giving you practical tools, personalized support and the knowledge you need to take an active role in managing your diabetes.
Experienced Diabetes Education Team
Our program is taught by Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES), including a registered dietitian and certified pump trainer. Our team provides education and support based on your individual health needs, lifestyle and diabetes management goals.
Personalized Education and Support
Diabetes affects everyone differently. Our team works with you to better understand your individual needs and develop strategies that can make managing diabetes part of your everyday life.
Support for Diabetes Technology
Our diabetes education team provides additional education for patients using diabetes technology, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pumps. We can help you better understand how to use these tools as part of your diabetes management plan.
Support for Patients and Families
Family members and significant others are welcome to participate in diabetes education at no additional cost. Personalized instruction is also available for individuals with special needs.
What You Will Learn
Diabetes self-management education gives you information and practical skills that can help you make informed decisions about your health.
During the program, you can learn more about:
- Understanding diabetes and how it affects your body
- Blood glucose monitoring and how to use your results
- Healthy eating and carbohydrate counting
- Understanding and monitoring the effects of diabetes medications
- The importance of physical activity
- Early detection and prevention of diabetes-related complications
- Setting realistic goals for managing your diabetes
- Building healthy habits you can maintain over time
Additional education is available for more advanced diabetes management needs, including:
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
- Insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios
- Insulin pump education and training
Who Can Benefit From Diabetes Education?
Diabetes education can be helpful at many different points in your health journey. You may benefit if you:
- Have been newly diagnosed with diabetes
- Want additional support managing your blood sugar
- Need help understanding diabetes medications
- Want to learn more about healthy eating and carbohydrate counting
- Are beginning or currently using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
- Use or are preparing to use an insulin pump
- Have experienced changes in your diabetes management plan
- Want to reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications
- Would like additional support building healthy, sustainable habits
Whether diabetes is new to you or something you have managed for years, diabetes education can help you strengthen your knowledge and confidence.
Your Diabetes Education Journey
1. Understanding Your Needs
Our diabetes education team learns about your health history, current diabetes management plan, lifestyle and individual goals.
2. Learning About Diabetes
You'll learn how diabetes affects your body and how blood glucose, nutrition, medications, physical activity and other factors work together.
3. Building Practical Skills
Our team helps you develop skills you can use every day, from monitoring blood sugar and planning meals to understanding medications and diabetes technology.
4. Creating Healthy Habits
You'll learn practical ways to incorporate healthy eating, physical activity and other diabetes management strategies into your daily routine.
5. Ongoing Diabetes Management
Diabetes management can change over time. Our team can provide additional education and support to help you adapt to changes in your health, medications or diabetes technology.
Nutrition and Diabetes
What you eat can play an important role in managing blood sugar and supporting your overall health. Our registered dietitian provides personalized nutrition education to help you understand how different foods affect blood glucose and how to make healthy choices that fit your lifestyle.
Nutrition education may include:
- Carbohydrate counting
- Meal planning
- Understanding food labels
- Creating balanced meals
- Understanding how food affects blood glucose
- Developing realistic, sustainable eating habits
Diabetes Technology Support
Diabetes technology can provide valuable information and make it easier to understand patterns in your blood glucose levels. Phelps Memorial provides education and support for patients using continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
Continuous glucose monitors track glucose levels throughout the day and night. Our diabetes education team can help you understand your CGM, interpret glucose trends and use the information as part of your diabetes management plan.
Insulin Pump Education
For patients using insulin pump therapy, our certified pump trainer provides education to help you better understand your pump and how it fits into your overall diabetes management plan.
Recognized Diabetes Education
Phelps Memorial's Diabetes Education Program is offered in conjunction with Bryan Health in Lincoln, Nebraska, which is recognized by the American Diabetes Association as meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes Education
What is diabetes self-management education?
Diabetes self-management education provides information, skills and support to help people with diabetes better understand their condition and manage it as part of everyday life. Education may include blood glucose monitoring, nutrition, medications, physical activity, diabetes technology and strategies for reducing the risk of complications.
Who should participate in diabetes education?
Diabetes education may benefit people who are newly diagnosed as well as those who have been managing diabetes for years. It can also be helpful when medications change, new diabetes technology is introduced or additional support is needed to reach diabetes management goals.
Can you help me learn how to use a continuous glucose monitor?
Yes. Phelps Memorial offers education and support for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), including helping patients better understand glucose readings and trends.
Does Phelps Memorial provide insulin pump education?
Yes. Additional education is available for insulin pumps, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios and other advanced diabetes management needs. Phelps Memorial has a certified pump trainer available to provide education and support.
Can a family member attend diabetes education with me?
Yes. Family members and significant others are welcome to attend the diabetes education program at no additional cost.
Does insurance cover diabetes education?
The Diabetes Education Program is billed directly to medical insurance and is covered by many insurance plans. Coverage can vary, so patients should check with their insurance provider regarding individual benefits.
Financial assistance is available for individuals without a payment source.
Where is diabetes education offered?
Phelps Memorial Health Center offers diabetes education in Holdrege, Nebraska.
How do I get started with diabetes education at Phelps Memorial?
For more information about diabetes education, contact:
Jenny Spaulding, RN, CDCES
308-995-2848
Lacey Becker, RD, LMNT, CDCES
308-995-2881
Take the Next Step in Managing Your Diabetes
You don't have to navigate diabetes management on your own. Whether you've recently been diagnosed, want additional help managing blood sugar or need support with nutrition, continuous glucose monitoring or insulin pump therapy, the Diabetes Education team at Phelps Memorial is here to help.
For more information or to get started, contact:
Jenny Spaulding, RN, CDCES
308-995-2848
Lacey Becker, RD, LMNT, CDCES
308-995-2881
