Diabetes

In Nova Scotia, if you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes or need more help to build your self-management skills, your primary care provider can refer you to a Diabetes Centre near you.

As a patient, you can access self-management supports and education programs to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to self-manage your chronic condition for healthy living.

A team of certified diabetes educators (nurses and dietitians) work with community primary care providers and an extended care team to provide a variety of programs and services for patients of the Diabetes Centre.

Services may vary by community, but frequently include:

• Managing the emotional impact of diabetes, both for patients and family members;
• Self-management group education programs;
• Individual counselling (nutrition, physical activity, medical management);
• Blood glucose monitoring;
• Medication management;
• Insulin initiation, adjustments and follow-up;
• Insulin pump and pre-pump training, and;
• Link to community resources.

What are Diabetes Centres?

Diabetes Centres (DC) are located across Nova Scotia. They vary in hours of operation from full-time to part-time. A number offer satellite services to smaller communities.

• Diabetes Educators support patients living with diabetes by conducting person-centered assessments, and providing self-management education, skill building, and empowerment to meet goals set collaboratively by the patients and their care teams. Diabetes Educators help patients choose interventions (pharmacological, nutrition, physical activity, psycho-social, technology) that fit with their lifestyle and reduce disease progression and complications. Our teams offer follow-up to monitor and re evaluate care plans to support patients on their diabetes journey.