How should I go about teaching Diabetes to the blind/visually impaired?

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg/Telemetry.

How should I go about teaching a group of people who are visually impaired or completely blind? This teaching is basically to reenforce the importance of management, nutrition, and exercise to this population who have diabetes. Some of this people became visually impaired as a result of not properly managing their diabetes.

I'm not going to touch on the whole detail of what is diabetes, symptoms, complications. They probably know that already, because remember, it is likely they became visually impaired as a result of unmanaged diabetes. But I will quickly and briefly talk about what is diabetes, symptoms, complications. But I want to focus on management, nutrition, and exercise, that's my main goal.

I'm thinking of just talking during my teaching, but supportive materials for my teaching will be awesome, and I'd rather have that, but I dont know what I should use.

Any advice would be good on how should I teach, what kind of materials I will use for the blind/visually impaired group?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Always go with the basics cannot assume that "they know all that." People who don't have a lot of education have a high risk of any type of disease. Misinformation is the primary reason why people don't take care of themselves in the case like these. It really helps to know what the disease can do to the body, even result in death. Usually the threat of death would scare anyone into "straighten up." Also listen to their story, ask how they got to where they are. Ask what will they do to make the situation better for themselves to control their disease.

How should I go about teaching a group of people who are visually impaired or completely blind? This teaching is basically to reenforce the importance of management, nutrition, and exercise to this population who have diabetes. Some of this people became visually impaired as a result of not properly managing their diabetes.

I'm not going to touch on the whole detail of what is diabetes, symptoms, complications. They probably know that already, because remember, it is likely they became visually impaired as a result of unmanaged diabetes. But I will quickly and briefly talk about what is diabetes, symptoms, complications. But I want to focus on management, nutrition, and exercise, that's my main goal.

I'm thinking of just talking during my teaching, but supportive materials for my teaching will be awesome, and I'd rather have that, but I dont know what I should use.

Any advice would be good on how should I teach, what kind of materials I will use for the blind/visually impaired group?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How should I go about teaching a group of people who are visually impaired or completely blind? This teaching is basically to reenforce the importance of management, nutrition, and exercise to this population who have diabetes. Some of this people became visually impaired as a result of not properly managing their diabetes.

I'm not going to touch on the whole detail of what is diabetes, symptoms, complications. They probably know that already, because remember, it is likely they became visually impaired as a result of unmanaged diabetes. But I will quickly and briefly talk about what is diabetes, symptoms, complications. But I want to focus on management, nutrition, and exercise, that's my main goal.

I'm thinking of just talking during my teaching, but supportive materials for my teaching will be awesome, and I'd rather have that, but I dont know what I should use.

Any advice would be good on how should I teach, what kind of materials I will use for the blind/visually impaired group?

First, you should not ignore the basics. A good many diabetics, who suffer from the complications, suffer because of lack of knowledge. You need to address how they will test their daily blood sugars and I am aware of no monitor that gives that number out verbally. So, you need to invite their spouse or partner. You also need to consider who will inspect their feet daily. Or who will give them insulin if required. There are preload syringes or an insulin pump available. Or exercise patterns. These are just a few of the issues which a diabetic faces every day.

Grannynurse

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How should I go about teaching a group of people who are visually impaired or completely blind? This teaching is basically to reenforce the importance of management, nutrition, and exercise to this population who have diabetes. Some of this people became visually impaired as a result of not properly managing their diabetes.

I'm not going to touch on the whole detail of what is diabetes, symptoms, complications. They probably know that already, because remember, it is likely they became visually impaired as a result of unmanaged diabetes. But I will quickly and briefly talk about what is diabetes, symptoms, complications. But I want to focus on management, nutrition, and exercise, that's my main goal.

I'm thinking of just talking during my teaching, but supportive materials for my teaching will be awesome, and I'd rather have that, but I dont know what I should use.

Any advice would be good on how should I teach, what kind of materials I will use for the blind/visually impaired group?

If you have accsess to a Social Worker they are wonderful keepers of resources, and could give you names of agencies for the visually impaired that you could search for teaching tools. For example The lighthouse for the blind, or you could try the American Diabetes Association. Its importantant to know your audiance and why they are there and their knowledge base in order to be effective with your teaching. Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

My daughter is blind, and we find great products at MaxiAids and Independent Living..

http://tinyurl.com/9l3gl

http://www.independentliving.com/products.asp?dept=208&deptname=Diabetic%20Rx%20Aids

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
I am aware of no monitor that gives that number out verbally

There are many "talking glucometers" on the market. Cost is a factor, about ~$500.00-$700.00 each. Some insurance companies will cover them with written RX from doctor. Tinyurl link above shows these devices, including Spanish speaking model.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

home care nurses do this type of teaching all the time!

check out these resources:

canada:

[color=#00009b]literacy for independent living (lil)

learning resources for adults with disabilities

http://www.nald.ca/lil/english/textonly/awareto/blind-vi.htm

us:

blind and visually impaired blind and visually impaired research index site with links for disability users.

www.ability.org.uk/blind.html

national diabetes education program | ndep

national diabetes information clearinghouse

[color=#00009b]complications

prevent diabetes problems series

information in spanish

  • am i at risk for type 2 diabetes? in spanish
  • control your diabetes. for life. tips for feeling better and staying healthy in spanish
  • diabetes dictionary in spanish
  • erectile dysfunction in spanish
  • expanded coverage for diabetes care--medicare and you in spanish
  • if you have diabetes, take care of your heart flipchart presentation in spanish
  • if you have diabetes, take care of your heart in spanish
  • kidney failure: choosing a treatment that's right for you in spanish
  • know your blood sugar numbers in spanish
  • medicines for people with diabetes in spanish
  • recipe and meal planner in spanish
  • 7 principles for controlling your diabetes for life in spanish
  • the power to control diabetes is in your hands in spanish
  • what i need to know about eating and diabetes in spanish
  • your guide to diabetes: type 1 and type 2 in spanish

diabetes prevention series in spanish

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MS Home Health.

DM is my full time evening job and a previous poster hit one nail on the head. Many diabetics do not know the basics.

ren

Up Vote Up Vote ×
home care nurses do this type of teaching all the time!

check out these resources:

canada:

[color=#00009b]literacy for independent living (lil)

learning resources for adults with disabilities

http://www.nald.ca/lil/english/textonly/awareto/blind-vi.htm

us:

blind and visually impaired blind and visually impaired research index site with links for disability users.

www.ability.org.uk/blind.html

national diabetes education program | ndep

national diabetes information clearinghouse

[color=#00009b]complications

prevent diabetes problems series

information in spanish

  • am i at risk for type 2 diabetes? in spanish
  • control your diabetes. for life. tips for feeling better and staying healthy in spanish
  • diabetes dictionary in spanish
  • erectile dysfunction in spanish
  • expanded coverage for diabetes care--medicare and you in spanish
  • if you have diabetes, take care of your heart flipchart presentation in spanish
  • if you have diabetes, take care of your heart in spanish
  • kidney failure: choosing a treatment that's right for you in spanish
  • know your blood sugar numbers in spanish
  • medicines for people with diabetes in spanish
  • recipe and meal planner in spanish
  • 7 principles for controlling your diabetes for life in spanish
  • the power to control diabetes is in your hands in spanish
  • what i need to know about eating and diabetes in spanish
  • your guide to diabetes: type 1 and type 2 in spanish

diabetes prevention series in spanish

sorry but i am unable to access any of the websites for the verbal blood glucose monitors.

grannynurse

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

links from maxaid website:http://tinyurl.com/9l3gl

need to change "page viewed" at bottom to page 3 or 4

accu-check voicemate - english retail price: $495.00

accu-check voicemate - spanish

talking one touch basic complete diabetes monitoring system $225.00

found below info at blood glucose meters http://www.mendosa.com/meters.htm

ed bryant has a valuable article for anyone who is visually impaired, "talking blood glucose monitoring systems" in the spring 1999 issue of voice of the diabetic, the diabetes action network of the national federation of the blind. the url is

http://www.nfb.org/vodold/vspr9914.htm

most states now require health insurance providers to cover diabetes supplies, equipment and self-management training. see http://www.aadenet.org/government%20relations/mapbroch.pdf and/or http://www.diabetes.org/main/community/advocacy/states2.jsp.

journal of diabetes nursing: blood glucose monitoring for visually

check out the ada resource guide 2005 (pdf file):

in the "aids for people who are visually or physically impaired" section of this guide, you will find a few "talking" products that announce, audibly, the results calculated by certain meters (see chart). units that "speak" spanish and other languages are included.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have found a wonderful resource for my mother who is blind and also has diabetes. The company is called Advanced Diabetes Supply and they billed her Medicare for a talking glucose meter called the Prodigy Voice. Here is a link tot he meter http://www.northcoastmed.com/prodigy-voice.htm

They also helped me teach her how to test so that she can still live independently! Oh yeah, i almost forgot. The company i mentioned above set up her meter before shipping it to her so it was very simple to teach her how to use it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

if they really understood the "basics" they would be less likely to have the complications. Start with survival skills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment