Module 1 Overview

The Diabetes Care Support module provides support workers with an understanding of what diabetes is, the types, impact on people with a disability, treatment options and ongoing need to prevent associated health issues. The focus is on person centred care and how to support an individual to be as actively involved in their self-care, to the best of their capacity.

Module aim

To provide support workers with the knowledge and skills required to understand diabetes and how to use a person centred approach to support clients to manage their diabetes and linked health conditions.

Lessons to be completed in the Diabetes Care Support module:

At the end of each lesson in Module 1 you will be able to:

Lesson 1: What is diabetes

1. Define what diabetes is
2. Describe how type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different.
3. State 10 risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes in people with a disability.
4. State why people with a disability are at increased risk of developing diabetes.
5. Describe the cause/s of increased blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.
6. Describe the role of the support worker in prevention, early diagnosis and support of people with a disability using an active support model of care

Lesson 2: Lifestyle management of diabetes

1. List the three (3) areas of a person’s lifestyle likely to impact diabetes health.
2. Describe how food influences blood glucose levels.
3. List seven (7) tips for healthy eating
4. Identify recommended portion sizes of carbohydrate, protein and vegetables for a healthy diet.
5. State why the consumption of carbohydrate needs to be consistent in people with diabetes.
6. Demonstrate how to read a food label and identify a food as suitable for a person with diabetes.
7. State the numbers used to read a food label when it is low fat, low salt, low sugar and high fibre.
8. List the benefits of moderate exercise on a person’s health and when a person has diabetes.
9. Describe the impact of stress on blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.
10. State the impact anti-psychotic medication has on glucose levels.

Lesson 3: Medication management and hypoglycaemia

1. Describe when a person with diabetes needs a diabetes tablet started by the doctor.
2. State that the sulphonylurea class of diabetes tablets and insulin can potentially cause hypoglycaemia as a side effect of these medications.
3. State the definition of hypoglycaemia.
4. State the risk factors that increase a person’s potential for hypoglycaemia.
5. Describe how to identify, treat and prevent hypoglycaemia.
6. Describe the treatament of conscious and unconscious hypoglycaemia.
7. List the items to include in an individual’s Hypo Pack.
8. Describe potential causes of hypoglycaemia and their prevention.
9. Discuss the role of the support worker in medication management.

Lesson 4: Diabetes linked health issues

1. State why diabetes causes other health problems.
2. List the possible conditions linked to diabetes, a person with diabetes can develop.
3. Explain why people with diabetes are at higher risk of their blood vessels blocking up.
4. The role of the support worker in foot and leg health in people with diabetes.

Lesson 5: Diabetes self/supported management strategies

1. The impact on blood glucose levels when a person is sick and the role of the support worker.
2. When to check the blood or urine of a person with type 1 diabetes when they are sick.
3. Stating it is important to make sure all services a person uses can care for their diabetes.
4. State the 7 self care behaviours recommended for people with diabetes.
5. Describe the areas of diabetes care and support required in a comprehensive diabetes care plan
6. Give 1-2 examples of the support a person with an intellectual disability may require to achieve the 7 self care behaviours recommended for people with diabetes by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
7. Give 5 examples of how to set a person with diabetes up for success and 5 examples of setting their support staff up for success by identifying and working to each individual’s strengths.
8. Understand the need to actively include the person with diabetes in their diabetes care planning, implementation and evaluation.

Lesson 6: The diabetes health team and community care

1. Describe why it is recommended for people with diabetes to have a diabetes health care team.
2. Explain how to create a diabetes health care team for an individual with a disability.
3. Describe the role of each health team member
4. State the role of the support worker in the diabetes care team

Instructions: 

It is recommended that participants complete the lessons in order. Click on the link at the bottom of this page to go to Lesson 1. Each lesson begins by outlining the aim and list of expected outcomes from completing the lesson.

To do the lesson, work your way through the content set-out using the icons displayed below. There are five icons displayed in each lesson, with instructions outlining how you complete each part of the lesson.

You Tube videos

are posted for you to watch as an overview of the topic. The length of the video is included in brackets after the video link.

PowerPoint presentations

are included in all lessons. They are prepared and narrated by Registered Nurse and Credentialled Diabetes Educator Jayne Lehmann. Click on the link to a PowerPoint presentation to get it started. The length of the video is included in brackets after the link to the presentation.

Activities

are included in lessons to provide an opportunity for participants to apply information they are learning.  Click on the link to go to the Activity Sheet. Print off the sheet/s. Read the instructions and complete the activity as instructed.

A range of handouts

Links are provided at times to handouts, for more information about the topic. You may want to download and save or print them to use in the future.

       

A short quiz

is included at the end of the lessons in Module 1. They help you self-assess how much you have learnt, reinforce the information and prepare you for the Module’s Final Quiz. It is expected the quizzes will be completed without any assistance.

End of Module 1 Quiz

Successful completion of the course:

Once you have completed all lessons in the Module, click the link to the quiz in the Contents to the left of the course page.  A score of 80% or above is required to pass the final quiz. A certificate is forwarded to your organisation as evidence of your successful completion once you successfully pass all of the training you have been registered to complete.

The evaluation survey at the end of each Module is to be completed as a part of the course.

Click here to go to Module 1 Lesson 1.