It may seem that there is always a lot of emphasis in the media on diabetes as a disease (specifically type 2 diabetes), but there is a reason for that. According to Diabetes Australia:
‘Diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st century and the biggest challenge confronting Australia’s health system. Around 1.8 million Australians have diabetes. This includes all types of diagnosed diabetes (1.2 million known and registered) as well as silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (up to 500,000 estimated)’
It is not only the diabetes itself that is a concern, as diabetes is known to have negative effects on circulation, the heart, liver, and other organs. It is also widely known that diabetes can cause strokes and can make one more susceptible to other complications should they get it.
While medication plays its part in helping those who are living with diabetes, it is important to know that type 2 diabetes is very manageable (possibly even reversible) through lifestyle changes such as changes in diet, regular monitoring, and exercise uptake. This is also where diabetes educators come in.
What is a diabetes educator?
A diabetes educator is a qualified health professional who assists people with the management of diabetes, helping their families and carers understand the condition while empowering them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage their diabetes. You can read more here.
What is the role of a diabetes educator?
Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming, but that’s where a diabetes educator comes in. They’re your go-to expert for making sense of blood sugar levels, medications, meal planning, and lifestyle changes. Think of them as your personal guide, helping you navigate diabetes with confidence and clarity. But what exactly does a diabetes educator do? And how can they support you? Let’s break it down.
Use of blood glucose meters, insulin pens, insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors
Pens and pumps may be initially difficult to master. Monitoring machines are essential to management yet can be overwhelming and fiddly. A diabetes educator can help you choose the right monitor and teach you the correct methods for drawing blood, measuring levels and correct use of insulin equipment.
Provide advice and guidance around blood glucose levels
One of the things that a diabetes nurse educator can help you with is understanding your blood glucose levels. Regular blood sugar monitoring is one of the most crucial factors in the successful management of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Monitoring allows you or your carers to recognise what makes numbers go up or down, such as eating different foods, taking medicine, or being active.
Assist in the adoption of healthy eating habits through nutrition education, including meal planning, weight-loss strategies, and nutrition counselling
Another role of a diabetes educator is helping patients with nutrition education. Healthy eating and physical activity are important parts of a healthy lifestyle when you are living with diabetes. A healthy meal plan and regular exercise can help keep blood sugar levels within the target range. Along with prescribed medication, what you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat are all important in controlling blood sugar levels.
Help understand how medications work
There are several types of medication that can be used to help manage diabetes. Each type of medication works differently to help keep blood sugar levels within range. Most diabetes medications come in tablet form, however, for type 1 diabetes, insulin will most likely be dispensed as an injection.
It is important you always adhere to your treating doctor’s instructions regarding when to take medication and dosage levels. However, a diabetes nurse educator can further assist in helping someone living with diabetes understand side effects, what to do if a dose is missed, how to take or administer their medications, or even how it works with any other medications being taken.
Developing skills for handling stressful situations
It may not be known to many, however, stress, both physical stress and mental stress, has been proven to impact blood sugar levels, which can be a problem when living with diabetes. By learning to manage stress, a person with diabetes will have another tool readily available to them to help keep blood sugar levels under control. Adopting a positive attitude, helping people talk over their stressors, and meditation and relaxation techniques are just some of the skills a diabetes educator may teach.
How can I access a diabetes educator?
Get in touch with the Vital Home Health Service team if you would like to organise a diabetes educator service for yourself or a loved one. You can learn more about the service here.
