Classes and Resources
In Kalispell and throughout northwest Montana, Diabetes Education & Prevention offers diabetes self-management education, diabetes prevention classes, insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring, diabetes support groups, gestational diabetes education, community service presentations, and telehealth diabetes education and prevention services.
Call (406) 751-5454 for dates, times and locations.
Diabetes Self-Management
Diabetes Prevention
This 12-month lifestyle balance class is for adults who are motivated to increase their activity and improve their eating habits to achieve weight loss and prevent heart disease and diabetes. This fun and informative program features supervised exercise sessions and group education to help participants develop healthy habits. The class is led by a registered dietitian.
Living Well with Diabetes
This eight-hour comprehensive diabetes self-management class equips participants with the skills necessary to take control of diabetes. These skills include healthy eating, self-monitoring of blood glucose, safe use of medications, being active, healthy coping, problem solving and reducing risks of complications. The class includes four weekly two-hour sessions.
Individual Consultation
Individual sessions with a diabetes educator may include assessment of individual needs, nutrition, medication, self-monitoring of blood glucose, goal setting, sick day management and follow-up support of lifestyle changes.
Insulin Pump Therapy
Pump therapy can help patients achieve near-normal blood glucose levels with proper training and guidance. Training involves:
- Pump candidate assessment, candidate guidelines, benefits and limitations of insulin pumping
- Getting started with insulin pump therapy
- Pump selection, basic operation and programming
- Basic or advanced carbohydrate counting
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Continuous glucose monitoring measures glucose (sugar) levels in tissue fluid using a small sensor inserted under the skin. Glucose measurements are recorded every few minutes. This technology may help improve blood glucose but does not replace fingerstick blood glucose testing.
Diabetes Support Groups
Diabetes support groups and community education programs are offered throughout the year at no charge. Diabetes support group meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month for those who desire ongoing education and support.
National Recognition
Our diabetes self-management education program was recognized by the American Diabetes Association in 2001 and has maintained program recognition since then. Programs that achieve recognition have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide high-quality information about diabetes management for participants.
Additional Resources
American Diabetes Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides users with credible, reliable health information on a wide range of topics, including diabetes.
Children with Diabetes is an online community for children, families and adults with diabetes.
dLife is a resource for all aspects of the diabetes lifestyle, with information and community support for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes as well as caregivers.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation provides grassroots support and advocacy to fund research and improve the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes.
