Diabetes Education Program
Service Summary
Are you living with diabetes or know someone who is? Are you interested in learning how to lower your risk of developing diabetes? Whether you are recently diagnosed, have had diabetes for years, want to switch to a more flexible insulin regime or are having difficulty affording your diabetes supplies- we are here to help!
The Deep River Diabetes Program is one of 5 centers that make up the Renfrew County Diabetes Education Program. We are here to help you manage your pre-diabetes, type 1 or type 2 diabetes. We offer individual & group appointments with a Certified Diabetes Educator.
What to Expect
We cover the following topics in group or individual visits:
- What is diabetes and what is hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Common feelings and emotions associated with diabetes
- Healthy eating
- How to monitor your blood sugar
- Exercising with diabetes
- Diabetes complications and how to prevent them
- Diabetes medications & insulin
What to Bring
- Yourself plus a supportive friend or family member
- Your glucometer or blood sugar monitoring machine & blood glucose readings (if you are testing)
- All of your medication, in bottles, including vitamins or herbal products
Hours of Operation
Every Thursday and every 2nd Wednesday from 8:00am – 4:00pm.
Contact Us
Please note: A physician’s referral is not necessary to attend the diabetes program - we welcome self-referrals!
For more information on any of these programs or if you have any diabetes-related questions call 613-584-3333 x 7470 or email Erica.Vandrunen@drdh.org.
Additional Resources
Endocrinology Clinics
An endocrinologist deals with diseases that are caused by problems with hormones which includes diabetes. Monthly endocrinology clinics are held at the Deer River Hospital by telemedicine. Your family physician can refer you if they feel you would benefit from this service.
Assistive Devices Program (ADP) for Insulin Pump & Supplies
ADP is a government program that provides financial help for paying for an insulin pump and some supplies. In order to get this help you must: be 19 years old or older, have type 1 diabetes, show that you can maintain good blood sugar control using daily insulin injections and have been assessed by our diabetes team consisting of our endocrinologist and diabetes educators. Click here to check out the Ontario government website for more information.
Social Worker
Are you struggling with diabetes distress? Are you worried about your finances, mental health, relationships, housing, or transportation to medical appointments? If you are, we can refer you to our Diabetes Program Social Worker (whether you have a family doctor or not).
Chiropody (Foot Specialist) Clinic
If you have diabetes, live in Renfrew County and are assessed at high risk for diabetes foot problems, you may qualify for free Chiropody services which are available in Pembroke or by telemedicine.
Renfrew County Vascular Health Exercise Program
A 12-Week exercise program available free of charge to residents with vascular disease or at risk of developing vascular disease (this includes diabetes). The program takes place at the Deep River Legion on Mondays and Fridays, from 9:00 am - 10:00 am.
Unattached Diabetes Patient Program
If you live in Renfrew County and have diabetes, but do not have a family physician, we can help you register with the Renfrew County Diabetes Education Program's “Unattached Patient Program”. You will be followed by our telemedicine Endocrinologist until you can find a family doctor.
Check out these resources for reliable diabetes information:
Click here to access the Champlain Diabetes Services website.
Click here to access the Diabetes Canada (formerly known as the Canadian Diabetes Association) website.
Click here to access the Stand Up to Diabetes website.
Click here to download the Renfrew County Diabetes Education Program Brochure for adults.
Click here to download the Renfrew County Diabetes Education Program Brochure for youth.