Diabetes

Diabetes affects 21 million Americans and about 6 million are unaware that they have it. We are dedicated to helping our community learn how to manage day to day living with diabetes and achieve healthier lives.

At Bridgeport Hospital, we can teach you how to manage your diabetes—whether you’re newly diagnosed, have had diabetes for years, need a refresher course or have had a change in condition or medication.

Adult Diabetes Education Program

Bridgeport Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center is an American Diabetes Association’s Recognized Program. Our diabetes self-management and medical nutrition education programs are designed to empower adults to effectively manage their diabetes. Our certified diabetes educators (CDE’s) are committed to teaching in an easy to understand manner. We meet national standards for diabetes education and are proud to be recognized by the American Diabetes Association since 1999.

Who should attend?

The Adult Diabetes Education Program is for:

• Newly diagnosed individuals with diabetes
• Those who have never had Diabetes Self Management Education/Training or Medical Nutrition Therapy for individualized meal planning
• Individuals wanting refresher education or updates on diabetes care
• Those whose diabetes has become more difficult to manage, whose diabetes requires the addition of new medications, or whose lifestyle or daily routine have significantly changed, like in the case of retirement, relocation and so on.

Support is greatly needed when you are managing diabetes; you may invite one family member or friend to attend at no cost.

Our Services

1. Diabetes Self-Management Education / Training Program

   Group Education Each person will meet with our registered nurse and our registered dietitian (Both CDE’s) for individual assessments before entering classes. Group classes consist of a series of 4 classes that cover all aspects of diabetes management. Class topics include:

   • Nutrition for health and diabetes meal planning
   • Self-blood glucose monitoring
   • Understanding blood glucose highs and lows
   • Diabetes medication benefits and side effects
   • Physical activity and exercise
   • Preventing diabetes complications
   • Diabetes foot care
   • Problem-solving strategies
   • Coping with stress and change
   • Goal setting for healthy living
   • Preparing for emergencies (illness, disasters)

   2.  Medical Nutrition Therapy

   Medical Nutrition therapy is a therapeutic approach to preventing or treating a medical condition such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease or obesity. Our registered dietitian (CDE) will work with you to customize and encourage realistic ways for you to improve your diet. Topics may include:

• Matching insuling to carbohydrates

• Strategies for change (e.g. goal setting, modeling behavior, positive feedback)

• Individualized meal plan guides
• Healthy food choices and combinations
• Consistent carbohydrate counting for meal planning
• Food labels
• Portion Control
• Meal timing
• Blood sugar and food

How to register for our program

There are two ways that you may enter the Program:

1. Your physician may refer you directly to our program. We will then contact you directly to make the appointment.
2. You may call the Diabetes Education Center at 203-336-7305 and our friendly staff will obtain the necessary information to help you. Your physician or healthcare provider must complete our referral form before your first appointment. Upon receiving the completed referral we will provide you with an appointment.

Does my health insurance cover this service?

Many insurance plans and managed care insurers (Medicare and Medicaid) will cover diabetes education and nutrition therapy, with a physician referral. If you have questions regarding insurance coverage, call us.