Initial Diagnosis & Education

 

• Initial contact with a Best Centre clinical team member at diagnosis to provide essentials of type 1 diabetes management and routines through the first months of diagnosis

• Home visits available as required for paediatric patients

• Education sessions of 1-2 hours each as needed

• Daily contact with educator for dose adjustments as required

• Review of cost and access to supplies 

 

Follow-up Appointments

 

• Goal setting

• Individualized sessions with a nurse and/or dietitian educators and social worker as needed 

• Reinforcement of new skills and expanding on information available

• Assessment of how patient and family is managing blood sugars and coping overall

• Preparation for college/university life, shift work, sports, transitioning to adult specialist

• Transitions throughout the life cycle

• Education and support for partner, spouse and other caregivers

 

Nutrition Program

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• Individualized, flexible meal planning for all ages

• Carbohydrate counting and label reading

• Weight management

• Education related to alcohol and drugs, vitamins and supplements 

• Recommendations for special occasions

• Recipes, snack ideas and cookbooks

• Nutritional counselling for additional health issues
   

Insulin Pump Program

 

• Recognized ADP program by Ministry of Health for insulin pumps (paediatric and adults)

• State of the art insulin pump program initiated in 2000

• Individual/group education and management: assessment of patient/family readiness for pump, pump information night, pump school, pump initiation and continued follow-up to ensure success in patient control, satisfaction and adherence to ADP requirements

• Advanced Pumping program

• Continuous or flash glucose monitor education  

 

Type 1 Pregnancy Program

 

• Advance pregnancy planning with the clinical team is ideal

• Bi-weekly appointments with educator to prepare patient for the stages of pregnancy

• Facilitate patient access to services of diabetes specialist, obstetrician, geneticist, ophthalmologist 

• Screening and prompt intervention with any concerns

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Mental Health Program

 

• Initial assessment and on-going support available for all patients 

• Referral to community agencies as required 

• High-Risk Patients support 

• Support groups

 

After-Hours Urgent Care Program

 

• Clinical staff member availability 24/7/365 for newly diagnosed and urgent patients

 

Telemedicine

 

• Individualized appointments available to meet with educators through secure remote access via mobile device or computer

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Transition Program ​

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• Support patients and families prepare for the move to adult care

• Developmentally appropriate individual educator appointments help children build the self-management skills and confidence to take an active role in managing their type 1 diabetes

• Transition Program Overview

 

Growing Well with Diabetes (GWD)

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• Target important topics throughout various stages of development (ages 8-18)

• Nurture your child’s relationship with our team

• Foster independence in diabetes management

•  Growing Well with Diabetes Info Sheet

• Questionnaire for Child Teens 

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Transition to Adult Care ​

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• Designed to support patients as their medical care shifts from a pediatrician to an adult diabetes doctor

• Best Centre educators and social workers provide information to help navigate life's changes as patients enter adulthood

• Transition Program Self-Reflection Questionnaire

• Transition Program Parent Handout

• Transition Program Patient Handout

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Other Services

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• Activities for patients and families for fun and support

• Fundraising events – Walkathon, Golf Tournament, Gala, Bingo

• Variety of opportunities for volunteer participation

• Annual conference for health professionals focused on adults with type 1 diabetes

• On-site point of care HbA1c testing - by finger prick with results in 6 minutes

• Education sessions arranged for schools, extended family members who are primary caregivers, day cares, group home staff and a variety of community groups and service clubs

• Emergency kit provided for all newly diagnosed paediatric patients; extra kits available for purchase

• Cutting-edge education in T1D technology including blood testing meters, insulin pumps, continuous glucose sensors, flash monitoring and other devices

• Participation of our clinical team members in community health-related events

• Opportunities to participate in type 1 research projects (e.g. Trialnet)

• Outreach & Engagement (Volunteer) Committee

• The Best Centre also accepts community placement of university students including nurses, dietitians and social workers (subject to availability)