Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland was recently named an accredited diabetes education program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). This will allow residents in and around Cleveland increased access to critical diabetes education and support services. Diabetes education and support is a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions. It is provided by Certified Diabetes Educators. "Trends show that diabetes education is moving out of the hospital and into the community, so AADE's accreditation program was created, in part, to encourage diabetes education where the patient is seeking care," says Leslie E. Kolb, RN, BSN, MBA, program director, Diabetes Education Accreditation Program. "Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland is exactly the type of program we envisioned when we set up our accreditation program in 2009." FREE classes will be held from 10 a.m.-noon July 10, 17, 24 and 31 at the Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland, 3601 S. Green Road, Suite 100 (2nd Building South of Chagrin Blvd.) Beachwood. Participants must have a physician referral, type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes and must be 18 years of age or older. Registration is required. Classes are free at this time but later sessions may require a fee. The classes include group and individual sessions with a nutritionist and nurse. Topics covered include: •control of high and low blood sugars •home blood glucose monitoring •diabetes medications -- how do they work? •stress management •exercise •carbohydrate counting •menu planning, dining out, reading food labels, portion sizes •foot and skin care •sick-day management •long-term complications of diabetes Call 216-591-0800 for more information.