Do I Need Diabetes Education?

Ask your doctor for a referral to diabetes education if you:

  • Recently learned you have diabetes  
  • Have had diabetes for some time, but haven’t gotten nutrition instruction or information about managing the condition for awhile
  • Want to improve your blood glucose control

When you apply what you learn in our classes, you can help prevent serious health problems related to diabetes. These include heart disease, foot amputation, blindness and kidney failure.

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Insurance Coverage

Diabetes education and support are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Call your insurance provider to confirm coverage. 

Anderson Program

During visits to our program in Anderson, you’ll meet with a professional who: 

  • Helps you set health goals 
  • Reviews your medical history, lifestyle, risk factors and more to develop a personal self-care plan 
  • Provides diabetes instruction on a variety of topics 

We’re certified and recognized by the American Diabetes Association and staffed by certified diabetes care and education specialists. 

Classes in Anderson

Here’s a look at some of the classes we offer: 

  • Comprehensive Diabetes Management – Three classes that teach you how to control blood sugar, lipids and blood pressure through diet, exercise and medicine
  • Gestational Diabetes Management – A special class for women who develop diabetes during pregnancy
  • Insulin Instruction – A class for beginners to insulin therapy
  • Insulin Pump Training – Class for those who are new to insulin pump therapy, who need a refresher or who want to learn about the advanced features of their pump
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy – This class helps you if you have a complex condition in addition to diabetes, such as kidney failure, gastroparesis or celiac disease
  • Carbohydrate Counting – An advanced class if you’re preparing to begin insulin pump therapy or if you’re on pre-meal insulin and want to adjust your insulin using an insulin-carb ratio

One-on-one instruction is available for patients who can’t attend group classes, do not speak English or may be hard of hearing.

Diabetes Support Group

Meet some of your neighbors, learn from their experiences and share your story in our diabetes support group. It meets the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Location

All Anderson classes and support group meetings take place in the Diabetes Education Classroom at the Cardiac and Orthopaedic Center, 100 Healthy Way, suite 1100.

Hear From Your Neighbors

Watch this video to hear how people like you changed their lives for the better with support from our diabetes education program.

Sign Up for a Class

Call 864-512-4145 to sign up for diabetes education in Anderson.

Call 864-512-2255 to sign up for a diabetes education class in Pickens.

Ask your doctor for a referral before you call.

Pickens Diabetes Education Program

Join us on the second Thursday of each month from 3–4 p.m. at the Acker Boardroom, Outpatient Services Building at AnMed Cannon, 123 WG Acker Drive. Classes include: 

  • Carbohydrate Counting – Find the right carb balance for yourself so you can feel your best and lower your risk of diabetes complications. We’ll discuss how many carbs you should eat at each meal or snack, proper portions and how to choose foods by reading nutrition labels.
  • Foot Care – Learn about proper foot care, what to look for when inspecting your feet, when to call the doctor and what diabetic shoe options there are.
  • Nutrition and Blood Sugar – Explore how different foods affect your blood sugar, how to plan meals for home and how to eat healthy when dining out.
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