If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, prediabetes, or gestational diabetes, you know it is a disease in which the body cannot properly use and store glucose. You also know that with education and careful management, you can live well with diabetes.
The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is designed to help you understand diabetes and learn to manage it.
Registered nurses and registered dietitians who are Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists are here to guide and advise you. We provide care to help you achieve the optimum level of health. We also offer the support you need to make well-informed decisions about your care.
Our program has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association and meets its national standards for self-management education programs. These standards ensure that the program is well organized and offers high-quality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.
UConn Health Self-Management Diabetes Education Program offers group and individual appointments to help people living with diabetes.
Group Sessions
Diabetes Self-Management (an interactive 3-part, 3-hour group series)
Classes are designed to provide individuals with diabetes and their families with the information and skills needed to manage diabetes in daily life, achieve optimal blood sugar control, prevent or minimize problems associated with diabetes, and successfully cope with the demands of living with diabetes.
Topics include:
- Understanding diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2
- Blood glucose monitoring: Glucose meter and continuous glucose monitoring along with interpretation and using results for self-management decision-making.
- Medications: Using medications safely
- Medical nutrition therapy: Incorporating healthy food choices
- Physical activity and exercise: Incorporating physical activity into lifestyles
- Complications: Acute and chronic
- Healthy minds: Developing strategies to address psychosocial issues and concerns
- Goal setting and problem-solving: Personal strategies to promote health and behavior change
Advanced Carbohydrate Counting
This class is tailored for patients actively managing their insulin doses based on their carbohydrate intake.
Meal Planning
This workshop is designed to empower individuals managing diabetes by providing practical skills in crafting a meal plan and supporting weight loss goals.
Gestational Diabetes
This class aims to provide people who are pregnant with insight into lifestyle adjustments, nutritional choices, and self-care practices to navigate their gestational diabetes effectively.
Individual Appointments
Individual appointments are available to learn more about:
- Meal planning and carbohydrate counting
- Diabetes management, including medications, activity, and equipment
- Assistance with medication/insulin adherence
- Pre-pregnancy planning, pregnancy, and gestational diabetes education
- Medical nutrition therapy and education for healthy eating and disease-specific needs
- Advanced insulin management for insulin users
- Insulin pump management
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Smart insulin pens
- Injectable medications
- Inhaled insulin
The best times for diabetes education are:
- When you’re diagnosed with diabetes
- As part of your annual assessment of education, nutrition, or emotional struggles
- When new complications arise
- During changes in your healthcare team or treatment
How to Register
Referral Required
The referring physician must complete a UConn Health Diabetes Education Referral form and send it through Epic. For providers outside of UConn Health, please complete the referral using the UConn Health Diabetes Education Referral form and fax it to 860-679-1217. Once received, an appointment will be scheduled.
Insurance and Payment Information
Many insurance plans cover the fees for our services. A fee or co-payment is expected at the time of the appointment or workshop. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted.
