Managing Diabetes classes meet Thursdays, January 5 - 26, from 9:00 – 11:30 am at the Bern Campus.  Registration is required by calling 610-378-2100.  For additional information, please contact Angela Serafin, RN, MSN, CDE at 610-208-4626.

November is Diabetes Month
By Angela Serafin RN, MSN, CDE, Certified Diabetes Educator

Diabetes is a complex medical condition which affects blood sugar regulation and affects 8.3 percent of the US population or more than 25 million people. In Type I diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin. In Type 2, the pancreas
doesn’t produce enough insulin, and the cells of the body are resistant to it. In
pre-diabetes, blood sugars are higher than normal, but are not high enough to
meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

Uncontrolled diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic
lower limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among
adults in the US and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and the
seventh leading cause of death in the US. It is important to note that
these complications most often occur when diabetes is not controlled.

Diabetes is considered controlled if it meets the ABC’s of diabetes
control set by the American Diabetic Association (ADA):
• Average daily blood sugar of 154 for the three months prior to the
test
• Blood Pressure: 130/80 or less if no other medical goal exists.
• Cholesterol:
• Total under 200
• LDL under 100 and under 70 for cardiovascular disease
• HDL greater than 50
• Triglycerides under 150

How does someone with diabetes learn to balance diet exercise and
medication to achieve glucose control?  By participating in a Diabetes
Self-Management Education (DSME) program.

A DSME program incorporates the needs, goals and life experiences of
the person with diabetes, guided by evidence-based standards. The
goal is to teach them to learn to manage their disease, in conjunction
with the healthcare team, and therefore improve their quality of life.

St. Joe’s outpatient Diabetes Education Program is recognized by the
ADA as meeting the national standards for quality diabetes selfmanagement
education, which allows Medicare and other health insurers
to cover this service. The extent of coverage depends on the specific
plan benefits.

DSME are offered weekly at the Walnut Medical Pavilion in Downtown Reading:
• English-language classes are taught on Wednesdays, from 11 am -
12 noon.
• Spanish-language classes on taught on Thursdays, from 1 pm - 2
pm.

Comprehensive classes are scheduled throughout the year at Bern Township
Campus, Shelbourne Square in Exeter Township and, in 2012, at our new Broadcasting Road
site. The class schedule is available on our website, in hospital waiting areas and in
the hospital and doctor’s offices. Family members and support persons are always
welcome to attend class with the registered class members.

Individual instruction appointments are also available at the Walnut Medical Pavilion
and in the Medical Office Building. All appointments and classes must be
registered through Central Scheduling, 610-378-2100. A health care provider prescription
is required.

Individuals with diabetes can live a happy and full life and prevent or reduce
complications by learning to manage their diabetes, and working as a partner in
conjunction with their healthcare team. If you have diabetes and are not where
you need to be, consider teaming up with your Diabetes Educator.

“Managing Diabetes” classes, meet Wednesdays, February 9 to March 2, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm, at St. Joseph Health Center at Shelbourne Square.  

Registration is required by calling 610-378-2100. 

For additional information, please contact Angela Serafin, RN, MSN, CDE at 610-208-4626.

Could you be at risk for diabetes?  Angela Serafin, RN, MSN, Certified Diabetic Educator, will provide a free seminar concerning prevention and lifestyle changes.

Tuesday, October 26
1:00 pm
Bern Campus
Franciscan Room

Please call 610-378-2553 for reservations