Diabetes

N. Yoder, RN, BSN, CDE Certified Diabetes Educator

Diabetes is becoming an epidemic in young people today and the number of students with diabetes in FWCS continues to rise. Each school year more than 100 students come to school with a diagnosis of diabetes. The majority of students with diabetes require daily medical care at school, including insulin injections, monitoring blood sugars, balancing activity with food and medication, careful attention to the amount of carbohydrates eaten, and emergency care if blood sugars are out of range.

The management of students with diabetes varies greatly from individual to individual, the technology involved is ever-changing, and many students are not independent in their own care or decision-making. Therefore, school nurses and other personnel often need to be highly involved in diabetes students' daily care throughout the school day.

As a Parkview nurse and Diabetes Educator for FWCS Mrs. Yoder:

• Acts as a resource for school nurses regarding diabetes management.
• Trains school personnel to give diabetes care when the nurse is not present.
• Teaches students about diabetes and helps them find successful ways to manage it.
• Edits and publishes the newsletter "Hotshots" for diabetes students and their families.
• Encourages student and family involvement in community diabetes activities.
• Is the liaison between physicians, families, school personnel and students to balance educational goals with health needs.
• Promotes student and staff awareness about Type 2 diabetes and its prevention by increasing exercise and improving eating habits.

Mrs. Yoder states, "My goal is to help students with diabetes have a safe and optimal educational experience while at the same time learning to care for their disease."

Mrs. Yoder's services to FWCS nurses, students and families are donated by Parkview Hospital in association with their Community Health Improvement Initiative.