COVID & Diabetes Update
Navigating a Crisis

Recorded & Ready for Viewing

Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM, has completely updated this critical presentation, to bring health care professionals up-to-date on the current state of COVID and its impact on diabetes care. She summarizes key information including critical teaching points and management strategies for people with diabetes who develop a COVID-19 infection.

Topics Include:

1. Discuss the current state of diabetes in the United States.
2. Describe the relationship between COVID and health care disparities 
3. Explore the impact of COVID infection on those with pre-existing diabetes.
4. Discuss treatment strategies for COVID and diabetes, including new vaccines.
5. List critical teaching points for people with diabetes and COVID.

Join us to learn critical information about Diabetes and COVID Management

Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, has been Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management for over 20 years. She is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF and Touro University and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.

---

FREE Resource Catalog

• Diabetes Cheat Sheets
• Diabetes Blog Bytes
• Medication PocketCards
• 10 Steps to Succeed
• CDCES Coach App
• Free Webinars hosted by Coach Beverly
• Question of the Week
• Free Diabetes Article Library

See Full Free Resource Catalog

---

Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

Email Address Sign Me Up!

Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.*  

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

To continue our celebration of National Diabetes Month, we are excited to provide you with a bunch of helpful resources to help get the word out. Happy Friday everyone.

Websites that offer FREE handouts for diabetes education

ADA’s FREE Living with Type 2 Diabetes Program: ADA’s program includes six digital, printable journeys to teach how to live well with diabetes; a monthly e-newsletter with tips, stories, and more resources; six free issues of the Diabetes Forecast® magazine; access to an online community and local events. (The program is available in both English and Spanish).

ADA Diabetes Education Library Offers over 170 topics on diabetes that are searchable by topic and language. A treasure trove of educational info.

CDC Diabetes Prevention Program Curricula and Handouts  This site offers excellent resources for those interested in offering Diabetes Prevention Education.

National Diabetes Education Program is an online library of resources compiled by the NDEP to help provide accurate information and support for people living with prediabetes and diabetes.

Other Great Resources

1. ADA’s Risk Quiz: 60-second online risk assessment for type 2 diabetes. ADA created a self-assessment and a version to fill out the assessment for others. There’s also a printable version in English & Spanish that can be distributed to help ascertain risk. This is a great first step in helping individuals consider coming in for an appointment
2. Sweet People Club: Theresa Garnero founded the Sweet People Club which provides education, support, and community for individuals with prediabetes or type 2 and their families. She has excellent resources on meal planning and active living, plus she provides a free guide on flexible meal planning.
3. Spanish Language Resources: language can be a barrier to adequate and quality care. ADCES has created a number of free downloads for people with diabetes and prediabetes, which have been translated into Spanish.
4. Free Monofilaments: Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) provides monofilaments for free (just send them an envelope with postage!). Use these monofilaments, which delivers 10 grams of pressure, to identify those at risk of developing foot problems. (The ADA Foot Examination Pocket Chart fully explains how to conduct a foot exam, including a picture explanation of how to use a monofilament).

---

Save $100: Virtual DiabetesEd Specialist Conference| 30+ CEs
Only $359

Your registrations include access to all the On-Demand Online Sessions plus Bonus Courses through February 28, 2021.

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice. Taught by a team of experts.

---

Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

Email Address Sign Me Up!

Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.* 

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.

The holiday season can also be stressful and throw us off our normal routine. This can compromise our sleep and our overall eating habits.

To help everyone feel their best during this holiday season, we have ten strategies for you and your patients. And even if you can’t do all ten, just pick one or a few that you feel you can commit to and succeed with most of the time.

We have created a 10 Steps to Survive the Holidays PDF – a handout that includes the info below to print and share with your friends, patients, and colleagues!

---

1. Be a sleep warrior – People living in the United States are chronically underslept. Not getting enough sleep is associated with increased hunger, higher blood sugars, poor concentration, frequent illness, and impaired problem-solving. Make sure to give yourself the gift of at least 7 hours of sleep a night. This sleep will help you make the best choices for your health and will protect against illness and fatigue. You got this.

Goal:  Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. You deserve it.

---

2. Keep active – Holidays can put our exercise plans to the test, but we have a few ideas for you. Take an after-meal stroll instead of plopping on the couch.   After meal walks lower post-meal blood sugars and increases energy by getting muscles activated. Just 10 minutes of walking after meals can make a big difference.  You can even put music on and have a small dance session, anything to get your body moving.

Goal:  Work toward 30 minutes of activity a day. 

---

3. Don’t forget the Fiber – With all the snacks and tempting foods, whole healthy foods may take a back seat. Enjoy the abundance of seasonal vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains that are fiber-rich and that decrease inflammation.  Examples include; yams, squash, mandarin oranges, almonds, pistachios, quinoa, kale, brown rice, warm oatmeal, salads, and broth-based soups.

Goal:  Strive to eat at least 25gms of fiber a day.

---

4. Enjoy the ultimate beverage – H20. Water is the perfect way to keep hydrated, replenished, and keeps appetite in check. Add a splash of flavor with a jigger of fruit juice or fresh cucumbers, lime slices, or a sprig of rosemary.  Be creative. Sparkling waters come in a vast variety of flavors, are calorie-free, and contain no artificial sweeteners.

Goal:  Keep hydrated by enjoying plenty of water.

---

5. Keep an eye on alcohol – While it’s true that red wine offers a beneficial anti-inflammatory compound called resveratrol, drinking too much alcohol can lead to unintended outcomes.  Studies show that we make poorer food choices if alcohol is on board. This can offer special challenges in party settings, where temptations are abundant. A drink of alcohol contains about 100 calories and mixed drinks have even more. In addition, alcohol can lead to low blood sugars, especially for those taking insulin or sulfonylureas.

Goal:  Limit alcohol to one drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men.

---

6. You are already sweet enough – Holidays and sugar go hand in hand. If possible, try and eat less than 6 teaspoons of added sugar (does not include natural sugars found in fruit and milk). This goal may not be realistic on all days, but aim for success 80% of the time.  Excess sugar intake can cause inflammation and buildup of fat in the liver. One strategy is to limit sugar intake during the day and save your 6 teaspoons for that special dessert or parties.  When looking at labels, it is helpful to know that 1 teaspoon equals 4 gms of sugar.

Goal: Limit sugar to 6 teaspoons a day.

---

7. Your teeth need extra special attention – Taking care of our teeth and gums improves health. Gum inflammation is associated with blood vessel inflammation. Swollen gums can also lead to an increase in blood sugars. During the holidays, find time for regular oral hygiene. Your mouth (and dental team) will thank you.

Goal: Brush teeth at twice daily and floss at least once daily.

---

8. Keep connected to friends and family who love you just the way you are! – As enjoyable as holidays can be, reuniting with family can also cause stress and stir-up emotions. Feeling out of sorts can lead to stress eating and decrease self-care.  If possible, reach out to a trusted friend to share your feelings or keep a holiday journal. Consider bringing a favorite book along during your travels that you find inspiring and comforting.  Give yourself permission to steal away for some quiet time.

Goal: Self-care is important during the holidays.

---

9. Enjoy an Oxygen Cocktail – Studies show that when humans venture into natural outdoor settings, heart rate and blood pressure improve. Take a moment to appreciate the feeling of the air on your skin, take a deep breath of fresh air, try to find nests in leafless trees, listen to the animal sounds and bird songs and just enjoy that moment.

Goal: Step into nature daily.

---

10.   Take inventory of things that you are grateful for – Find a moment each day to reflect on a few things that brought you joy or good feelings. Maybe it was your cousin who lent you her favorite sweater.  Or an Aunt who gave you the best hug.  Special moments with a best friend or an after-dinner walk enjoying the fall leaves.  These small moments of connection and beauty are one of the most treasured gifts of the holiday season that linger in our hearts and memory long after we say our goodbyes.

Goal: Take note of special moments.

---

Click here to download 10 Steps to Survive the Holidays PDF – a great handout that includes the info above to print and share with your friends, patients, and colleagues!

---

Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

Email Address Sign Me Up!