Appointments, Registration, Learn More (305) 819-1210
Online Physician Referral or call 1-800-522-5292
Check our online Diabetes Management resources
Could you have diabetes and not know? Take a diabetes risk test. English Español
La diabetes información en español
The Diabetes Education Center is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting National Standards for Excellence in Diabetes Eduction.
Palmetto's Diabetes Self Management Program is designed to help persons with diabetes learn about their condition, live as healthfully as possible and prevent complications.
Our bilingual staff members provide individual or group classes covering all aspects of diabetes self management, educational materials in English or Spanish and personalized diet plans that meet patients’ cultural and meal preferences.
The center is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. We offer Saturday classes as needed. To enter the program you must be referred by a physician and make an appointment. Advance registration is required.
Topics
We cover these in simple terms, by illustration, books, handouts, DVDs and discussions.
- Types and causes of diabetes
- Acceptance of diabetes
- Overview of available medication--action, indications and side effects
- Goals of monitoring blood sugar at home and A1C
- Nutrition and diabetes
- The role of food
- Definition of carbohydrates
- Planning your meals, use of exchange diet system
- Reading labels
- Acute and long-term complications
- Prevention and treatment of complications
- Exercise instructions
- Definition of stress and how it affects health and diabetes
- Stress-reduction techniques
- Diabetes in pregnancy (when appropriate to age group)
Individual Sessions One-on-one counseling by appointment until all topics are covered (or as per insurance coverage)
Group Classes
One visit required: One day workshop (a class offered Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm)
Two visits required: Two day workshop (a class offered in two parts Monday through Friday from noon to 5 pm or two Saturdays from 9 am to noon)
Three visits required: Three day sessions (a course offered in three parts Monday through Friday from 9 am to noon)