Did you know?
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and this year is the 100th anniversary of the revolutionary and life-saving discovery of insulin. Diabetes occurs when your body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it as well as it should.
When there isn't enough insulin or your cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. Over time this can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. According to Diabetes Canada, 33 per cent of Nova Scotians live with diabetes or prediabetes and 12 per cent live with diagnosed diabetes.
Nova Scotia Health has launched a new website, www.diabetesns.ca with five modules to help people living with type 2 diabetes to self-manage their condition at their own pace. The site reinforces that it is possible to maintain or improve one’s health through even small lifestyle or behaviour changes.
If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes or need more help with self-management skills, your primary care provider can refer you to a diabetes centre or educator near you.
Partnering in Community
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 diabetes patients.
Services may vary by community, but frequently include group education programs, individual counselling, insulin pump training, and important links to community resources.
Ask your health care provider to refer you to the local diabetes educator who is available to provide support at Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital (Tuesdays), Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital (every second Thursday), and Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital (Fridays).
Our People
Jennifer Miller is a diabetes educator for Twin Oaks, Musquodoboit Valley, and Eastern Shore Memorial Hospitals and Dartmouth clinics. Having lived with and worked in diabetes care for over 20 years, Jennifer meets clients wherever they are in their diabetes journey, assisting with mental health, sleep, stress, physical activity, or healthy eating. Jennifer also helps with insulin adjustments and is a certified insulin pump trainer. Jennifer enjoys living on the beautiful Eastern Shore with her two children.
Emergency Services
Nova Scotia Health is now providing the anticipated monthly scheduled for emergency services at both Musquodoboit Valley Memorial and Eastern Shore Memorial Hospitals. To view anticipated operation hours visit www.nshealth.ca/temporaryclosures
Your Health, Your Community is a contributed column from Nova Scotia Health. If you have comments or questions, we want to hear from you at [email protected].
