With November being National Diabetes Awareness Month, the timing seems appropriate to talk about Washington University Occupational Therapy and how our chronic disease self-management services provide strategies, behaviors, and principles to help patients who are experiencing life with diabetes both Type 1 or Type 2. Occupational therapy services are valuable in the management of many different chronic conditions, Diabetes being one of those.
Research tells us that 90% of the management of a chronic condition must be performed not by health care providers, but by the person who has the condition. (California Healthcare Foundation, 2008) As a result, it becomes imperative for people to know how to best take care of their Diabetes at home, in the community and where they want and need to participate in productive life activities. Regardless of what disability or chronic condition may be working as a barrier to your overall health and wellness, our team is here to help.
Our self-management service visits typically include the following:
- We will meet with you to evaluate your specific needs, environment, support system and objectives.
- Share recommendations and strategies for your disease management and living situation.
- Discuss ways to best manage Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).
Whether you’re looking for answers after being newly-diagnosed or have been managing a chronic condition for many years, our clinicians can help.