Adult Diabetes Services

Diabetes Self Management Education

The Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center has one of the largest diabetes education* programs in Orange County. In this American Diabetes Association-accredited program, Certified Diabetes Educators provide education and support services to patients as they learn to manage their diabetes.

The Allen Diabetes Center offers a series of diabetes self-management classes or individual appointments if required. Participants in these programs learn to live successfully with diabetes, by managing diet, physical activity and medications, to avoid complications and have a healthy life. Initial class topics include blood glucose monitoring, exercise guidelines, medication management, insulin instruction and insulin pump training if needed. More advanced topics include prevention of complications, dining out, sick day guidelines and carbohydrate counting. The Allen Diabetes Center also offers specialized classes for patients with kidney impairment. A physician referral is required.

Innovative Programs for Diabetes Management

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Dietitian Diabetes Educators at the Allen Diabetes Center provide nutrition education and support to patients with diabetes in a broad range of nutrition related topics, including carbohydrate counting, nutrition management while traveling or dining out, and special nutrition needs for patients with kidney disease. Individual appointments are also available as needed. A physician referral is required to ensure the health and safety of our patients.

Insulin Pump Instruction

Certified Diabetes Educators are certified trainers for all major insulin pumps. Insulin pumps are prescribed by the patient’s physician. We provide assistance to the patient as he/she learns to set the pump so that it automatically dispenses insulin in specified amounts at certain times of the day. Classes and individual appointments are offered. Several appointments are usually necessary until the patient is confident in the day-to-day management of the insulin pump.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Sensor Instruction

Diabetes Educators are also certified trainers for all major continuous glucose monitoring sensors (CGMS.) These devices are also prescribed by the patient’s physician and provide the ability to monitor blood sugars around the clock, and set alarms to indicate dangerously high and low blood sugar levels. Usually sensor instruction consists of two appointments for the patient to learn to manage the CGMS device.

Mental Health Support: Individuals who receive a new diagnosis of diabetes often have tremendous difficulty coping with this news. The Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center provides mental health support by licensed clinical social workers with extensive experience in providing assistance to people with diabetes.

Naturally Sweet Support Group: A free support group which meets monthly to address the special needs of persons with diabetes. Guest speakers give presentations on topics of interest, including nutrition, mental health, dental health, and many more pertinent topics.