Diabetes Management
Get diabetes management help at Salem Hospital
Patients who need help managing their diabetes receive expert, compassionate care through the Diabetes Management Program at Salem Hospital. Salem Hospital is a member of Mass General Brigham and the North Shore's largest health care provider and is home to more than 600 physicians of the North Shore.
Our program helps patients and their families develop skills and routines for diabetes management, including diet, exercise and medication. Patients in the diabetes management program work with a multidisciplinary team of case managers, primary care physicians, and certified diabetes educators to develop a diabetes treatment plan, consulting with endocrinologists, podiatrists and ophthalmologists as needed.
A comprehensive program for diabetes management.
- Individual assessment by diabetes educators.
- Help with setting goals for optimal blood sugar management.
- Assistance in assessing nutritional needs, including nutritional recommendations and help with meal planning.
- Instructions for monitoring blood sugar and reading glucose meters.
- Help in using and managing an insulin pump.
- Help assessing and managing gestational diabetes.
Patients get helpful information from certified diabetes educators through small group classes that feature topics such as eating in restaurants, the benefits of exercise, traveling with diabetes, dealing with the stress of diabetes, and reading food labels to count carbohydrates.
Continuing management and support for patients and families dealing with diabetes.
Successful diabetes management usually requires that patients make long-term lifestyle changes. Salem Hospital offers support services to patients and families to help during this sometimes difficult process. Programs include:
- Fitness and strength training classes to increase overall strength and flexibility and improve total body conditioning.
- Stress management classes.
- Smoking cessation classes.
- Acupuncture and massage.
- Reiki, yoga and Pilates classes.
Health Insurance policies typically cover some or all of the costs of these programs, though a referral from a primary care physician may be required. Patients should consult with their insurance company to see which services are covered and what co-payments may be required. Special payment arrangements may be made for patients who do not have insurance or whose insurance will not cover these diabetes management services.
