Overview
If you are one of the more than 29 million Americans with diabetes, then you probably know this chronic condition can increase your risk for developing serious complications, including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, and kidney and nervous system diseases. However, proper diabetes management can delay or even prevent the onset of complications, allowing you to live a healthy, productive life.
Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital’s Diabetes Education can equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to take charge of diabetes. Recognized by the American Diabetes Association, our Diabetes Education offers individual instruction and group classes that focus on prevention and long-term diabetes management. Whether you have insulin-dependent Type 1, the more common Type 2, or pregnancy-induced gestational diabetes, we can show you how to make positive lifestyle changes that will benefit your health now and in the future.
Services
Individual instruction
Diabetes can affect people in different ways, depending on physical make-up, general health and personal habits. That’s why we offer individual instruction with a diabetes educator and registered dietitians that are certified diabetes educators and qualified to explain the latest techniques in disease management. Even if you’ve had diabetes for years, our diabetes educators may be able to suggest changes that allow greater freedom in your lifestyle.Training includes:
- Insulin + medications – Learn when and how to self-administer your insulin or take oral medications.
- Self-blood glucose monitoring – Become familiar with daily monitoring methods and the symptoms of high and low blood sugar. Meters are available for those that qualify.
- Meal planning – No more “special” foods. Discover the advantages of a balanced diet and how to incorporate the foods you enjoy.
- Gestational diabetes education – Find out how to protect and care for yourself and your baby during pregnancy. A meter program is available, if necessary.
Diabetes educator and dietitian appointments are held at Mercy Hospital inside Mercy Hall.
Group classes
Our Diabetes Education also offers day and evening group classes held at Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hall. Conducted by a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian, each class consists of three, 2-hour sessions, for a total of six hours of instruction.
Classes include a detailed overview of:
- The diabetes disease process.
- Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
- Self-blood glucose monitoring.
- Acute and chronic complications.
- Medications.
- Eye, foot, skin and dental care.
- Sick days.
- Stress management, goal setting and behavioral changes.
- Meal planning, grocery shopping and restaurant dining.
- Physical activity, including the benefits, risks and guidelines for a safe fitness program.
Our Team
Certified diabetes educators at Mercy Hospital work with other healthcare professionals to provide education and counseling. Patients must be referred to our Diabetes Education by a physician.Appointments
To schedule individual instruction or register for a class, call Mercy Hospital’s Central Scheduling at 330.489.1300. A physician’s order is required for enrollment.
Diabetes Education
Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital
1320 Mercy Drive, NW
Canton, OH 44708
330.489.1484
Email: Mercy-Diabetes@ccf.org
