Health Matters - Apple Magazine Health Matters Winter 2018 | Page 5

Diabetes support
through your Primary
Care Network
WRITTEN BY MELISSA LIGERTWOOD
Each Primary Care Network
(PCN) in the Calgary Zone offers
help for adults living with or at risk
for diabetes.
Your medical home team
PCN clinicians work with you
long-term to help you best reach
your health goals. Clinicians answer
your questions one-on-one, and
connect you with other people
who can help you, such as:
• Family physicians
• Certified diabetes educators
• Health management nurses
(including weight and chronic
disease management)
• Dietitians
• Clinical pharmacists
• Kinesiologists
• Exercise specialists
• Behavioural health consultants
• Community support workers
• Social workers
• Mental health therapists
• Patient care coordinators.
Screening and coordination
Patient care coordinators help
keep your health on track. They
review your medical history, make
sure your health records are up to
date, and help arrange care with
everyone on your healthcare team.
Nutrition and lifestyle
PCNs offer classes, workshops and
one-on-one sessions for you to ask
questions, learn new plans of action
and feel supported as you set your
health goals.
Foot care
Enhanced education around
foot care is an important part of
managing your diabetes. Nerve
damage can lead to numbness in
the feet, making you less aware
of foot injuries and ulcers.
Blood sugar and
insulin management
PCN clinicians guide you
through checking your blood
sugar, responding to sugar highs
and lows, and how to maintain
your blood sugar level.
PCNs also offer plans and
education for insulin management.
Learning about insulin injections,
testing and injection equipment,
as well as the risks associated with
low blood sugar will help you set
up a healthy daily routine.
Your PCN team cares about you
and your well-being. We’re here to
help you reach your health goals.
Visit mypcn.ca.
Your medical home
A diagnosis of diabetes can be a
lot to understand, but we can help
you to manage it. PCN clinicians
provide a range of supportive
health management services. You’ll
be cared for close to home by a
healthcare team that understands
your needs.
mypcn.ca
WINTER 2018
FIVE