Customer Appreciation Week | FREE PocketCard
Customer Appreciation Week | FREE PocketCards Today!
As we continue to celebrate our customers this week, today we would like to offer our students a FREE Updated Medication Pocketcard!
Just fill out this short quiz with your full address and any feedback you may have for us!
FREE Medication PocketCard Form
Coach Beverly has made it her mission to not only educate but support the Diabetes Community in the hopes of promoting excellence in diabetes care.
Please enjoy our FREE resource offerings!
15% off ALL Online University Courses – through this Friday, February 16th at midnight.
Use Coupon Code 15Love
To celebrate our 20 year anniversary, what better time show our appreciation than the week of Valentine’s Day.
To our superstar students, subscribers and community of educators, we truly couldn’t have done it without you!
To show our love and gratitude, we are offering an array of free gifts and resources this week. We can’t begin to thank you for joining the Diabetes Education Services community!
Use coupon code 15Love to save 15% off ALL our nationally accredited Diabetes Ed Online courses.
Additional FREE Resources
Special Question of the Week – Customer Appreciation
Special Question of the Week – Customer Appreciation!
To our superstar students, subscribers and community of educators, we truly couldn’t have done it without you!
To show our love and gratitude, we are offering an array of free gifts and resources this week. We can’t begin to thank you for joining the Diabetes Education Services community!
Click below for a special quiz and even more free resources to follow:
Special Question of the Week – Customer Appreciation Quiz
15% off ALL Online University Courses –through this Friday, February 16th at midnight.
Use Coupon Code: 15Love
To celebrate our 20 year anniversary, what better time show our appreciation than the week of Valentine’s Day.
To our superstar students, subscribers and community of educators, we truly couldn’t have done it without you!
To show our love and gratitude, we are offering an array of free gifts and resources this week. We can’t begin to thank you for joining the Diabetes Education Services community!
Use coupon code 15Love to save 15% off ALL our nationally accredited Diabetes Ed Online courses.
Customer Appreciation Week 15% OFF
We love our Diabetes Community
Customer Appreciation Week Schedule
To celebrate our 20 year anniversary, what better time to show our appreciation than the week of Valentine’s Day.
To kick off our Customer Appreciation Week, we are offering 15% off ALL online university courses – February 12th through Feb 16th, 2018.
Use coupon code 15Love to save 15% off ALL our nationally accredited Diabetes Ed Online courses.
Coupon Code: 15Love
To our superstar students, subscribers and community of educators, we truly couldn’t have done it without you!
To show our love and gratitude, we are offering an array of free gifts and resources this week. We can’t begin to thank you for joining the Diabetes Education Services community!
Appreciation Schedule for Feb 12th – 15th, 2018
Monday | February eNews & 15% off discount
Tuesday | Special Question of the Week Quiz
Wednesday | FREE Updated PocketCards
Thursday | DiaBingo Game
Friday | FREE Resources Catalog
ABCs of Language Use in Diabetes
The Words We Choose – ABC’s of a more thoughtful approach
The term “diabetic” is officially off-limits.
Say goodbye the phrase “you can control your diabetes’.
Ditch characterizing people with diabetes as unmotivated or non adherent.
Retire the word patient and replace with the term participant.
Let go of the term “test” blood sugar and replace with the term “check”.
A recent article, The Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education (AADE, ADA 2017), reminds us that language we chose when coaching people with diabetes is powerful and can have a lasting impact on perceptions as well as behavior.
They might say something like, “My provider told me if I didn’t get my blood sugars down, they would have to start me on insulin.” Or something like, “My blood sugars are out of control and it’s all my fault.” Where is this message of self-failure coming from and how can we change the paradigm?
In society and in the health care field, the The Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education (AADE, ADA 2017), shapes the way a person with diabetes sees themselves. “Language lies at the core of attitude change, social perception, personal identity and stereotyping. Words are immediately shaped into meaning, and those meanings affect how a person views themselves.”
As educators, advocates, spouses, friends, and providers, our use of language can deeply affect the self-view of people living with diabetes everyday.
Let’s lift people up with the language we choose.
Let’s demonstrate through our body language and questions that we believe in their abilities.
Let’s recognize that diabetes isn’t about being perfect, it’s about creating realistic expectations that consider the person’s current life situation.
Before we get started, you might want to
Test your Diabetes Language IQ with this short
4 question Quiz.
Assess
During that first sit down meeting, we listen carefully to the story, to find out what is working with their diabetes and what barriers might be getting in the way. The words we use in this encounter sets the stage for our ongoing working relationship and will influence the self-perception of the person sitting across from us.
Language change starts here:
Use “person-first” language that indicates awareness and dignity while placing emphasis on the person rather than the condition/disease.
Example: “Your doctor referred you to our program to help you manage your diabetes” (instead of “Your doctor referred you to our program because you are a diabetic”).
Focus on using neutral words and physiology instead of words that cast shame and blame. Avoid using the phrase “control” diabetes. In truth, control is virtually impossible to achieve in a disease where the pancreas is broken. Despite best efforts, blood sugars may be above or below target at any given moment.
Example: “Your A1c of 9.8% is above the target of 7%.” (instead of, “Your A1c is really high.”)
Example: “Exercise can help you manage your blood sugar levels.” (instead of, “You can control your diabetes by exercising and eating right.”)
Barriers
Barriers to self-care can often be misinterpreted as non-compliance or non-adherence. It’s time to ditch these terms and focus on the self-care behaviors the person with diabetes is doing. We can focus on facts rather than judgments.
Example: “MJ hasn’t started taking her insulin because she is worried about weight gain and hypoglycemia.” (instead of, “MJ is non-compliant and is refusing to take her insulin.”)
As we explore their self-care habits, we can use language that is non-judgmental, strengths based and collaborative.
Let’s give the person with diabetes credit for what they are accomplishing and let’s avoid taking credit for their behavior changes.
Example: “It looks like you are checking your blood sugar about 3 times a week?” (instead of “You are only checking your blood sugar 3 times a week?”)
Compassion
According to a HealthTap survey, patients and physicians alike rate the role of compassion as most important.
Below are the fours findings from the HealthTap Survey.
“1. When making a healthcare decision, 85 percent of patients said compassion was very important to them, while only 31 percent of patients said cost was very important.
2. Although wait time to see a medical provider is often considered a barrier to patients’ happiness, only 48 percent of patients cited it as a very important factor in healthcare satisfaction.
3. Eighty-nine percent of physicians cited compassion as a very important part of delivering the best care, which was higher than the importance physicians placed on education and command of medical knowledge (86 percent).
4. Nearly all — 94 percent — of physicians said being compassionate makes their patients more likely to follow their advice, which can significantly improve patients’ health outcomes.”
Thoughtful language use and compassion can contribute to improved self-care, collaboration and improved quality of life. Thank you for being change agents and advocating for a person-first approach for those living with diabetes.
The Power of the Passeggiata!
“Walking in groups helps people stick with their exercise goals, study finds” – MINNPOST
Coach Beverly believes in the power of the Passegiata (walk in Italian). A common practice in Italy, an after dinner time stroll can have huge health benefits.
It seems that a short walk after meals is better for blood sugar than walks at other times of the day. Research indicates that short 10 – 15 minute post dinner walk is VERY effective at lowering post meal blood glucose, especially after higher carbohydrate meals. Which is great news for people with prediabetes and diabetes.
Why not join a group of walkers? According to an article in the Minnpost, there are many health benefits to walking in a group from physical to mental. Joining a walking group can add motivation and increase social interaction.
“There is good evidence that exercise adherence is enhanced through the use of social support,” write Meads and Exley.
To learn more about group exercise, enjoy the article from the Minnpost “Walking in groups helps people stick with their exercise goals, study finds”
Want to learn more about exercise & diabetes, enjoy our free exercise resource page:
Breastfeeding lowers diabetes risk for mothers
“There could be greater health benefits for women from breastfeeding than previously recognized,” said lead study author Erica Gunderson of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California.
Compared to women who didn’t breastfeed at all, mothers who nursed babies for at least six months were 48 percent less likely to develop diabetes.
Rates of breastfeeding are on the rise. More than 75% of women initiate breastfeeding and by one year 25% are still breastfeeding. There are many wonderful benefits linked to breastfeeding, lowering the risk of allergies, obesity, respiratory infections and now diabetes!
In spite of the benefits of breastfeeding, some women may face barriers to success, including lack of social support, lack of paid leave and lack of onsite childcare. Since breastfeeding provides a tremendous benefit for the child, mom and society, we want to keep encouraging women to breastfeed and create environments that support success.
“Longer breastfeeding tied to lower diabetes risk for mothers” – Lisa Rapaport for Reuters Health
Check out this fantastic resource by “Mom loves best” – The 111 Benefits of Breastfeeding – For Babies, Moms & Everyone Else
Want to learn more about Women and Diabetes, enroll in our Level 2 – Women and Diabetes online course:
Level 2 – Women and Diabetes 1.0 CEs – $ 19.00
Women with diabetes are confronted with a variety of issues that require special attention, education and understanding. This course reviews those special needs while focusing on Gestational Diabetes and Pre-Existing Diabetes. Included are the most recent diagnostic criteria, management goals and prevention of complications during pregnancy. A helpful review for the CDCES® Exam and for those who want more information on Women with Diabetes.
We will be providing a Live Webinar Update on May 18, 2018.
ADA Standards Test Taking Tips Webinar
Getting Ready to Take the CDCES or BC-ADM Exam?
Having a thorough knowledge of the ADA Standards of Care will greatly improve your success!
Join our test taking coach Beverly Thomassian, for a live interactive webinar on February 5, 2018. She will review a variety of sample test questions inspired by the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care.
We are updating this 60-minute on-demand course, where Coach Beverly will explain how to dissect the question, eliminate the wrong answers and avoid getting lured in by juicy answers. There are no CE’s provided, but there is a lot of great info to help you get ready for the exam.
We provide 100 test questions in advance so you can take the test ahead of time. During the webinar, Beverly reviews as many practice questions as possible within the hour time frame. Get ready for success!
Coach: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator who has passed her CDCES Exam 6 times. She is a nationally recognized diabetes expert for over 25 years.
Buy the ADA Standards Test Taking Tips Webinar for only $29 or
Purchase the CDCES Exam Prep Toolkit for $49 and save 15%
The CDCES Coach Exam Prep Toolkit includes:
- ADA Standards Test Taking Tips plus Preparing for CDCES Webinar.
- 201 Exam Prep Test questions
- Lots of resources to help you prepare for success
Complete Toolkit Fee: $49.00 (Group Discounts Available)
Medical Support for Oaxaca Village
Medical Volunteer Trip to San Juan Atepec, Oaxaca; Mexico
June 16th – 27th, 2018
Our good friend and amazing diabetes advocate, Dr. Miriam Padilla, has organized a medical volunteer trip to Mexico in June of this year.
San Juan Atepec is a village of 2000 people of Zapoteca heritage that is found in the northern mountains of Oaxaca. They have a medical clinic whose one doctor, one nurse, and one dentist work extremely hard to provide the best care they can with the limited resources they have.
Those interested in volunteering should be fluent in Spanish. We are especially looking for health professionals in the following fields: Nutritionist, CDCES, Dietician, Psychologist, Psychiatry, Dermatologist, General Surgeon, Geriatrician, Pediatrician, Family Practitioner, OB, Gynecologist, Internist, Dentist, Alcohol and drug Rehab Specialist, Mental Health Therapist, Endocrinologist, Emergency Medicine Physician, NP or PA proficient in any of the above fields
Medical Volunteer Trip Brochure
Cost: $2000
First $1000 deposit due April 1st, 2018. Final payment due May 15th, 2018.
If you are unable to join, we are asking for donations. Your financial support would allow them to have better access to medications, medical supplies, and educational material for patients.
Thank you so much for considering this worthy cause! Beverly and Anne
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