Diabetes Classes & Support Groups
Diabetes Education is currently available in-person and virtually.
Whether you have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, are newly diagnosed or have had diabetes for a long time, you may benefit from self management training.
Diabetes Self-Management Education & Support
Certified by the American Diabetes Association and staffed by certified diabetes educators, the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program at Torrance Memorial's Outpatient Specialty Center, is a comprehensive educational program designed to provide patients with diabetes, the essential knowledge and support they need to achieve better glucose control and help prevent complications.
We provide a comfortable, interactive environment where patients learn self-care skills and lifestyle modification techniques. Our program's classes supports patients with all types of diabetes who are either newly diagnosed or have a longer history of diabetes.
The Program
Our team of expertly trained and educated diabetes educators works closely with patients and their physicians to develop individualized self-care programs based on their medical history and individualized goals. Our program utilizes the latest research and training recommendations from the ADA to provide comprehensive and personalized care, and empower individuals to optimize short- and long-term outcomes.
Our program outcomes include participant self-identified improved self-care skills through improved meal planning, increased physical activity, weight loss and a statistically significant average decrease in their A1C level. This equals an average blood glucose decrease of over 40 points.
One-on-One & Group Sessions
Our program consists of an individualized consultation for each patient first, followed by a series of four small group sessions. Individual appointments can be arranged in lieu of group sessions for individuals that may have special needs such as, but not limited to, being hearing impaired.
After program completion, participants receive a free one-week gym membership at the Torrance Memorial Fitness Center and a free one-on-one consultation with our exercise physiologist.
The self-care behaviors you'll develop in our DSMES classes will help you successfully manage your diabetes and prevent or reduce the severity of diabetes complications.
Highlights of topics covered in our DSMES Program:
- Physiology of diabetes
- Understanding how your medications work
- Reading food labels and carbohydrate counting
- Meal planning and dining out
- Risk reduction of short- and long-term complications
- Prevention and treatment of high and low blood glucose levels
- Setting goals for weight loss, increasing physical activity and eating healthier
- Healthy coping skills
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Healthy Eating Made Simple
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) goes hand-in-hand with the DSMES program. In addition to your initial consultation and group classes, you will work one-on-one with a registered dietitian to address your individual nutrition needs and develop a customized meal plan that supports your goals and helps you manage your diabetes.
A yearly follow-up appointment with one of our diabetes educators can help individuals with diabetes refresh their memory on what they learned with us before, continue to build on their diabetes knowledge and self-care skills, help to maintain their lifestyle changes, continue to improve their quality of life and learn the latest in diabetes care.
Learn More About MNT
Diabetes & Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and have diabetes, you're likely concerned about its impact on you and your baby. At Torrance Memorial you'll meet one-on-one with a diabetes educator to learn the facts about diabetes and pregnancy, and develop an individualized plan to help you and your baby stay healthy.
Our certified diabetes educators are specially trained in a multidisciplinary approach to managing a pregnant diabetic, including diet control, medication management, and education of the patient regarding the complications and nutritional management of this disorder.
