Goal in Diabetes Treatment is Normal Blood Sugars
Diabetes Support Group Meeting Highlights
April 17, 2007
Carlene Roelke, RN, CDE, spoke to the diabetes support group and stated that
diabetes is a life-changing disease. When you are first diagnosed with diabetes,
you are asked to learn as much as you can about the disease. It is often
said that 99% of the disease is self-care. You are the one managing it on a
day to day basis. We ask you to do things differently that would add to your
well-being.
Everyday, we make choices that impact our health. Change is hard for everyone.
Carlene wanted the group to take credit and acknowledge the changes they have
already made: finger poking for blood sugar checks, eating differently, routine
doctor visits, increased activity, daily foot inspection, etc.
Carlene provided those present with goal-setting tips and challenged them to
set a goal that would improve their health. Goals should be SMART:
S is for specific
M is for measurable
A is for action-oriented
R is for realistic
T is for timely
Examples of all these were discussed. She asked that they think about their
diabetes care and asked that they set a goal that would encourage them to make
a change in some habit that would improve their health. Chances are if you do
not think you can change, you probably won't and should pick something else that
you could be more optimistic about. Determine what motivates you. DO you want
to protect your health? All the necessary changes cannot be done at once. Start
by changing one thing at a time and then set a new goal.
Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be treated. As we age, our health risks
increase. We all want good health and now is the time to start. Feel free to
discuss goals with your provider, your educator or anyone else who could offer
you the support that you need. By making change, you can improve the quality
of your life.
Handouts were provided and they challenged to set a smart goal that was
specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and timely.
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