Diabetes education and support at Touro
Managing diabetes involves more than checking your blood sugar. It means understanding how food, medications, physical activity, stress, and daily routines affect your health.
At the Touro Diabetes Center, our diabetes care and education specialists provide practical, personalized guidance to help you manage diabetes with greater confidence. We'll work with you and your healthcare provider to understand your needs, answer your questions and develop a plan that fits your health goals and everyday life.
Who can benefit from diabetes education?
Diabetes education can help whether you're newly diagnosed, have been living with diabetes for years, or are having trouble reaching your blood sugar goals.
Our program provides education and support for people managing:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
- Changes in diabetes medications or treatment
- New blood glucose monitoring technology
- Challenges with nutrition, activity, or blood sugar management
- Concerns about diabetes-related complications
You may also benefit from returning for additional education when your health, medications, or daily routine changes.
What will you learn?
Our diabetes educators are certified through the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Educationand hold the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential. Touro's program is also recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting national standards for diabetes self-management education and support.
Our team includes a licensed, registered dietitian who provides personalized guidance on meal planning, weight management, and how different foods can affect blood sugar.
Diabetes affects each person differently. Your education will be based on your diagnosis, medications, lifestyle, and individual goals.
Topics may include:
- Understanding diabetes and how it affects your body
- Checking and understanding your blood sugar
- Setting personal blood sugar goals
- Using a blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor
- Taking insulin and other diabetes medications safely
- Planning balanced meals
- Understanding carbohydrates and nutrition labels
- Adding physical activity safely
- Managing stress and emotional challenges
- Preventing or delaying diabetes-related complications
- Caring for your feet, skin, teeth, and eyes
- Recognizing and treating high or low blood sugar
- Preparing for travel, holidays, and changes in your routine
Support for your whole health
Keeping your blood sugar within your recommended range can help lower your risk for serious health problems involving your heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and feet.
Because diabetes can increase your risk for heart disease, we'll help you understand the importance of managing your:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Weight
- Physical activity
- Tobacco use
Our goal isn't to give you a list of foods you can't eat. It's to help you understand your options, make informed decisions, and build habits you can maintain.
Learn how added sugar can affect your heart
Concerned about your cardiovascular risk?
Diabetes, high blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol can all increase your risk for heart disease. Explore Touro's Heart and Vascular Care services to learn more about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Explore Heart and Vascular Care
What to expect at your first appointment
During your first visit, a diabetes care and education specialist will talk with you about your health history, current treatment, blood sugar patterns, eating habits, activity level, and any challenges you're experiencing.
Together, you'll identify the areas where you need the most support and develop a personalized education plan. You'll also have time to ask questions about your medications, monitoring supplies, food choices, or other concerns.
Bring the following to your appointment when available:
- Your blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor
- A recent blood sugar log
- A current medication list
- Your insurance card and photo ID
- Any questions you'd like to discuss
Insurance coverage & scheduling your first appointment
A referral or order from your healthcare provider is required before outpatient diabetes education can be scheduled. Once the completed order is recieved, a member of the Touro Diabetes Center team will contact you to arrange your first appointment.
Medicare and many commercial insurance plans cover diabetes education when eligibility requirements are met. Your deductibe, copay, or coinsurance may apply. Coverage varies, so contact your insurance company before your appointment to confirm your benefits.
Private-pay appointments are also available.
Need help getting started?
Call the Diabetes Center at 504.897.8813. Our team can explain the referral process and answer questions about scheduling.
Diabetes resources
Understand your diabetes risk
Take the 60-Second Type 2 Diabetes Risk TestProtect your feet
Learn how daily foot care can help prevent diabetes-related complicationsMeet your diabetes educator
Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming, especially when you're tring to understand how food, medications, activity, and daily routines affect your blood sugar.
Valerie Burton, RN, CDCES, is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and manager of the Touro Diabetes Center. She works wtih patients to turn medical recommendations into practical steps they can use in everyday life.
Whether you're newly diagnosed, adjusting your treatment or looking for help reaching your blood sugar goals, Valerie and the Diabetes Center team can help you better understand your numbers, build healthy habits, and feel more confident managing your diabetes.
Contact the Touro Diabetes Center
For more information or to speak with a diabetes care and education specialist:
Phone: 504.897.8813
Fax: 504.894.8586
Email: valerie.burton@LCMCHealth.org