Open Hand recently achieved accreditation by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (ADCES) to provide quality diabetes self-management education and support. Accreditation represents a high level of quality and service to the community and the ability to better meet the needs of Medicare recipients and others affected by diabetes throughout Georgia. ADCES and American Diabetes Association are the only two accrediting bodies in the nation for Diabetes Self-Management Programs.

Open Hand has offered Medical Nutrition Therapy for many years for patients living with diabetes. In the last year, the organization added Diabetes Self-Management to their program offerings.

“Open Hand provides valuable diabetes education across Georgia,” said Laura Samnadda, director of nutrition services at Open Hand. “We have six Registered Dietitians trained in delivering our Diabetes Self-Management education, which incorporates recommendations for healthy eating, physical activity, monitoring blood sugars, and stress management as well as teaches skills around action planning, problem-solving, and decision-making.”

The classes, combined with Medical Nutrition Therapy, are an important offering for Open Hand, which also delivers more than 5,000 Medically Tailored Meals daily to neighbors in need. “We are thrilled to bring this education to people living with diabetes in-person and virtually in an approachable and engaging program,” concluded Samnadda.

Last year, participants in Open Hand’s Diabetes Self-Management Education achieved incredible results. For example, after the workshop no one reported daily high blood sugar, and participants reported greater confidence in their self-management abilities. As one participant noted, “I feel more empowered to do a better job planning my meals and generally more in control. The [registered dietitian nutritionists] teaching the class were excellent and encouraging…I am very grateful for the opportunity to have attended this workshop.”

To learn more or register for a group education class, email [email protected].