With the prevalence of diabetes rising, Michelle is an advocate for patients in Langdon, Chestermere and Strathmore.
She is a Registered Nurse and Certified diabetes educator working directly in physician offices. Doctors refer patients with diabetes to see her for one-on-one education to support patients with:
- managing blood sugars to manage diabetes and prevent complications.
- administering their insulin or other injectable medications
- knowledge of how their medications work
- support with healthy lifestyle changes, including healthy eating and setting goals for activity
Since diabetes is a long-term condition requiring the patient’s day-to-day self-care, she helps by:
- empowering patients to essentially learn to self-manage their diabetes
- collaborating with physicians and other interprofessional team members for patient care.
- acting as an advocate for the patient with their physician.
Michelle teaches about the importance of nutrition, weight management, monitoring, medication, regular doctor visits, yearly eye and foot exams – all of which are so important in preventing complications.
In addition to offering one-on-one diabetes education, Michelle also teaches classes and has lead a support group for people with diabetes. These sessions are offered at certain times and offer education and support for those newly diagnosed as well as for their family members. Group sessions can be a formal session or informal, based on the group needs. The sessions are an opportunity to share experiences and learn from one another.
In a region where one in three people have been diagnosed with diabetes, Michelle is helping the communities’s diabetics achieve better health.