Overview
According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 25 million Americans are living with diabetes. That's over 8 percent of the U.S. population. More concerning is that 7 million of the 25 million Americans living with diabetes don't know they have it.
Diabetes is listed as the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and those with diabetes are two to four times more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death than those without. That's why, when you have diabetes, managing your lifestyle is vitally important and, often times, an ongoing challenge. Cleveland Clinic Akron General's Diabetes Center is certified by the American Diabetes Association and understands the needs of our patients. We offer educational support to individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as women with diabetes who become pregnant or those who develop diabetes during pregnancy.
Roughly 15 percent of all patients discharged from Ohio hospitals have diabetes, meaning that education and prevention are key, especially for pre-diabetes patients who are at an increased risk for developing diabetes. It's important for people to work with their doctors to know their risks, how to reduce them and when to seek early intervention.
Akron General's certified diabetes educators provide basic education on diabetes, how to better control diabetes with lifestyle changes and how to prevent potential complications. We offer one-on-one instruction and group classes during convenient hours.
Services
Our Diabetes Center patients receive an assessment and one-on-one attention from a nurse educator and dietitian to help determine individualized needs. Based on the results and your personal interview, our diabetes education team works together to create a customized plan for each patient, which may include:
- General knowledge of diabetes.
- Controlling high and low blood sugar.
- Diabetes medications.
- Meal planning (dining out, reading food labels, carbohydrate counting).
- General hygiene and skin foot care.
- Preventing diabetes-related complications.
- Diabetes management in illness.
- Community and healthcare resources.
- Benefits of exercise.
- Home glucose monitoring.
- Daily living concerns and family involvement.
- Benefits and responsibilities of care.
- Stress management.
Group classes and individual counseling sessions are available for hospitalized patients and on an outpatient basis. Evening classes are made available, as needed. Our classes include:
- Individual consultations.
- Group diabetes education classes.
- Pre-pregnancy counseling.
- Gestational diabetes counseling.
- Diabetes support groups.
- Dining with diabetes interactive seminar.
Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend with patients. For more information about Akron General's Diabetes Center and our education programs, call 330.344.7791.
Our Team
Certified diabetes educators at Akron General work with other healthcare professionals to provide education and counseling. Patients must be referred to the Diabetes Center by a physician.
Appointments
A physician referral is needed to enroll in the program, so discuss diabetes education with your doctor today. Many health plans offer partial or full payment for diabetes education. Ask your health plan administrator for more details.
Location
Diabetes Center
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
1 Akron General Ave.
Akron, OH 44307
330.344.7791
