ADCES 7 Self Care Behaviors: Your Guide to Better Health

Starting your diabetes management journey? The ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors® framework is here to help. It’s a detailed plan from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). It’s designed to boost your self-care skills and improve your health¹.

Managing diabetes can seem tough, but the ADCES7 makes it easier. It focuses on seven key areas: coping, eating right, staying active, taking meds, monitoring, reducing risks, and solving problems. These steps will give you the skills and confidence to manage diabetes well².

• The ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors framework is an evidence-based model for effective diabetes self-management.
• The seven behaviors cover essential aspects of diabetes care, including emotional well-being, nutrition, physical activity, medication management, and more.
• This comprehensive approach empowers you to take control of your health and achieve better long-term outcomes.
• The self-paced online course provides valuable education and resources to help you implement the ADCES7 behaviors.
• Successful completion of the course earns you professional credits and certifications for various healthcare disciplines.

Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how your body handles blood sugar. If your body can’t make enough insulin or use it well, blood sugar levels can get too high. This can lead to serious health problems³.

Managing diabetes well is key to avoiding issues like high blood pressure, vision problems, and skin infections.

Diabetes happens when your body can’t make enough insulin or use it right. Insulin helps move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. If diabetes isn’t managed, sugar can build up in your blood, harming your organs and systems over time.

Insulin is crucial for keeping your blood sugar levels in check. When you eat, your body breaks down carbs into glucose, which enters your bloodstream. Insulin moves this glucose into your cells for energy or storage.

Without enough insulin, your blood sugar can get too high, raising the risk of diabetes-related problems.

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs are vital. They help you manage your diabetes and prevent long-term health issues. Yet, less than 7% of eligible patients with diabetes participate in DSMES within the first year of diagnosis³.

DSMES teaches you to monitor your blood sugar, make healthy choices, and cope with diabetes’s emotional and physical challenges. By taking an active role in your care, you can control your blood sugar and lower your risk of complications.

Medicare covers up to 10 hours of diabetes education for those diagnosed in the past year, with coverage possibly changing after the first year³. DSMES can improve your hemoglobin A1C levels, prevent or delay complications, and increase preventive care. It also reduces hospitalizations, improves coping, and enhances your quality of life³.

Health care providers are key in making DSMES services more accessible. This helps improve health and diabetes management skills for those with diabetes³.

Effective diabetes management involves education, medication, and lifestyle changes. By grasping diabetes basics and the importance of self-management, you can actively improve your health. This leads to better blood sugar control and overall well-being.

The ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors® framework helps healthcare professionals give better care to people with diabetes⁴. It focuses on seven key areas: eating right, staying active, checking health, taking medicine, solving problems, coping well, and avoiding risks⁴. This model is key in Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) because it’s part of the official definition⁴.

The ADCES7 framework is a useful tool for both people with diabetes and their healthcare teams⁵. It shows how all seven behaviors work together to improve health⁵. The updated image of ADCES7 uses circles to show how everything is connected⁵.

Diabetes educators can use the ADCES7 framework to track how well their programs work⁴. They can see if people’s health and behavior change for the better⁴. This framework also helps in making sure care is always improving⁴.

The ADCES7 model is not just for diabetes. It helps with many chronic conditions that need self-care⁴. It’s a powerful tool for healthcare professionals to help people take charge of their health⁵.

In short, the ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors framework is a game-changer in diabetes care⁴⁵. It helps people with diabetes manage their condition by focusing on healthy habits⁴⁵.

Living with diabetes can be tough on your emotions. But, finding healthy ways to cope is key. Knowing what stresses you, having people to lean on, and using positive ways to deal with stress can help a lot.

First, figure out what stresses you out. Things like blood sugar swings, sticking to treatment plans, or social events can cause stress and anxiety.⁶ By paying attention to how you feel, you can prepare for and tackle these stressors before they overwhelm you.

You don’t have to go through diabetes alone. Having a strong support network of family, friends, and healthcare professionals is vital for your mental health⁷. Being part of a diabetes support group, whether in person or online, can also offer a sense of belonging and understanding.

Finding healthy ways to cope with diabetes is essential. Using problem-focused coping, like managing your diabetes and eating well, can really help.⁶ Also, activities like meditation, deep breathing, or journaling can help you deal with your feelings in a good way.

Remember, taking care of your emotional health is just as important as your physical health with diabetes. By focusing on healthy coping strategies, you can manage your emotions and succeed despite the challenges⁸.

“Managing the emotional impact of diabetes is a critical aspect of overall health and wellness. With the right support and coping mechanisms, individuals can navigate the ups and downs with resilience and find a sense of balance.”

Keeping a diabetes-friendly diet is key to self-care. Learning about nutrition helps people make better food choices. It also helps them plan meals that control blood sugar⁹.

By reading labels and controlling portions, people with diabetes can manage their condition better. They can also improve their health and well-being.

Eating more non-starchy vegetables is good for diabetes. These veggies don’t raise blood sugar as much as starchier foods⁹. Knowing the right serving sizes helps control carbs and keep blood sugar in check⁹.

Reading food labels is crucial for diabetes management. It helps spot carbs, sodium, and trans fats⁹. This knowledge lets people make better food choices¹⁰.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are great for creating meal plans. They help set healthy eating goals that are realistic¹⁰. Working with healthcare providers, people with diabetes can make a diet that fits their lifestyle¹⁰.

“Proper nutrition education can empower individuals to make informed food choices, develop healthy eating habits, and plan balanced meals that support blood sugar management.”

Healthy eating, along with exercise and self-care, improves diabetes management. It also boosts overall health and well-being⁹¹⁰.

Regular diabetes exercise is key to managing the condition and avoiding complications¹¹. Physical activity and fitness are crucial in preventing and treating diabetes and heart-related conditions¹¹. It’s important to include aerobic, resistance, and other types of physical activity in your routine¹¹. Tailoring physical activity plans to individual needs, like age and body mass index, is also vital¹¹.

Regular physical activity brings many benefits for those with diabetes¹¹¹². Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week to manage diabetes¹². Aiming for 30 minutes of moderate activity daily on most days is recommended¹².

Creating safe and fitting exercise routines is essential for those with diabetes¹¹¹². Adults should do strength-building exercises 2 to 3 times a week¹². It’s important to stay hydrated during exercise to keep blood sugar stable¹². Also, insulin that’s past its expiration date or not stored right may not work well¹².

Working with healthcare providers to create personalized exercise plans is crucial for managing diabetes¹¹. Using collaborative problem-solving to identify and solve care plan gaps is important¹¹. Developing realistic care plans that fit individual needs is key¹¹. It’s vital to recognize barriers to care and plan for effective problem-solving in diabetes management¹¹.

“Recognizing barriers to care and strategizing for effective problem-solving is imperative in diabetes management.”

Managing diabetes medications is key to controlling blood sugar and staying healthy. Research shows¹³ that those with diabetes who get full education see big health gains. They have lower blood pressure, better HbA1c levels, and healthier lipids. Yet, sticking to medication plans is hard for many.

Healthcare teams can teach patients why taking meds as told is vital. They can also create plans to help keep up with treatment. This might include tips on storing meds right, clearing up any confusion about treatments, and giving reminders or tools to aid in sticking to plans.

Managing meds also means knowing how to change insulin doses. This depends on what you eat, how active you are, and your blood sugar levels. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems¹⁴ give important data. This helps patients make smarter choices about their insulin and meds.

Using good strategies for managing meds and sticking to treatment plans helps people with diabetes. They can keep their blood sugar in check, lower the chance of serious problems, and live a better life.

Keeping your blood glucose levels in check is key to managing diabetes well. It’s important to understand your blood sugar readings and track your health data. Using technology for continuous glucose monitoring helps you make better care choices¹⁵.

Learning to read your blood glucose numbers is the first step in managing your diabetes. Your healthcare provider can teach you about the right blood sugar ranges. This helps you spot patterns and adjust your diet, exercise, and medication as needed¹⁵.

It’s crucial to keep a detailed record of your blood glucose levels, medications, and other health metrics. You can use logbooks, mobile apps, or special tracking devices for this¹⁵.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has changed how people with diabetes track their blood sugar. CGM devices give you real-time data, helping you understand how your body reacts to different things. This lets you make better choices about your care¹⁵.

CGM data shows you how much time your blood sugar spends above, in, or below range. Keeping a high Time In Range (TIR) percentage, usually 70% or more, is linked to better health and lower HbA1C levels¹⁵.

By using blood glucose monitoring and health metrics, you can actively manage your diabetes. Working with your healthcare team, you can reach your best health goals¹⁵¹⁶.

“Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels and other health metrics is crucial for effective diabetes management.”

By using continuous glucose monitoring and other diabetes tracking tools, you can get insights into your blood glucose monitoring. The key is to work with your healthcare team to understand your data and make informed care choices¹⁵¹⁶.

It’s key to lower diabetes risks for better health. This means spotting potential problems early and taking steps to prevent them. Doctors help patients adopt habits that reduce diabetes risks and keep them healthy, with regular check-ups and tests.

Monitoring is a big part of managing diabetes. It’s part of the ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors®¹⁷. People with diabetes or prediabetes should aim for certain health targets. Guidelines help make monitoring easier¹⁷.

Tracking data like food, activity, blood pressure, and stress helps understand health better. This way, people can spot patterns that might lead to diabetes problems¹⁷.

Using this info, people can make better choices about food, exercise, and medicine. Working with a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist¹⁷ helps pick the right tools and understand results. They also help set and reach health goals¹⁷.

It’s also important to tackle health disparities. A CDC report shows some groups face higher diabetes and heart disease rates. Working to overcome these barriers can greatly improve diabetes care for diverse groups¹⁸.

By taking these steps and working with doctors, people with diabetes can manage their risks. ADCES offers resources to find specialists for support¹⁷.

“Preventive care is crucial for individuals with diabetes to maintain long-term health and minimize the risk of serious complications. By working closely with healthcare providers and adopting self-care behaviors, individuals can take control of their diabetes management and improve their quality of life.”

Using the ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors® can change how you manage diabetes for the better. This plan helps lower blood sugar levels¹⁹, improve blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce diabetes risks. By focusing on these seven key self-care areas, people with diabetes can learn to manage their condition well over time.

The ADCES7 method helps patients take charge of their health. It leads to better choices, sticking to medication, and more involvement in managing their diabetes¹⁹. Studies show that checking blood sugar regularly can greatly help control blood sugar levels, especially for those with type 2 diabetes not using insulin¹⁹. It also focuses on healthy coping, eating right, staying active, and reducing risks, improving life quality and cutting healthcare costs for those with diabetes.

As the number of older adults grows, with 1.4 billion aged 60 or older expected by 2030²⁰, managing diabetes well is more important than ever. By using the ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors®, healthcare teams can help their patients manage diabetes effectively and achieve lasting success.

1. ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors® Online Course – https://www.adces.org/store/online-education/detail/adces7-self-care-behaviors-online-course-2024
2. Diabetes education using the seven self-care behaviors – https://www.centerwellhomehealth.com/articles/patient-articles/diabetes/seven-self-care-behaviors-to-manage-diabetes/
3. Referring Patients to DSMES – https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/hcp/dsmes/index.html
4. AADE Position Statement on AADE 7 Self-Care Behaviors – https://diabetesed.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/aade7-self-care-behaviors-position-statement.pdf
5. Slide 1 – https://www.welldoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2020.08-AADE7-Self-Care-Behaviors-Poster.pdf
6. Coping strategies for managing diabetes distress in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study on use and perceived usefulness – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11582030/
7. AADE7 Self-Care Behaviors revised in new guidance from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists – https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aade7-self-care-behaviors-revised-in-new-guidance-from-the-association-of-diabetes-care–education-specialists-301032723.html
8. The Power of Problem Solving For Successful Diabetes Management – Cecelia Health – https://www.ceceliahealth.com/the-power-of-problem-solving-for-successful-diabetes-management/
9. AADE 7 Self-Care Behaviors – https://diabetesatlanta.org/aade-7-self-care-behaviors/
10. PDF – https://www.adces.org/docs/default-source/handouts/adces7/handout_pwd_adces7_healthyeating.pdf?sfvrsn=1c3e6359_19
11. Competencies for Diabetes_07242020 – https://www.adces.org/docs/default-source/practice/practice-resources/competencies/domain_1.pdf?sfvrsn=2
12. Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-management/art-20047963
13. Impact of Patient-Centered and Self-Care Education on Diabetes Control in a Family Practice Setting in Saudi Arabia – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9859274/
14. Analysis of Healthy Coping Feedback Messages from Diabetes Mobile Apps: Validation Against an Evidence-Based Framework – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9846388/
15. CGM l Interpreting Patient Data l danatech – https://www.adces.org/education/danatech/glucose-monitoring/continuous-glucose-monitors-(cgm)/cgms-in-professional-practice/interpreting-cgm-patient-data
16. Impact of a Combined Continuous Glucose Monitoring–Digital Health Solution on Glucose Metrics and Self-Management Behavior for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Real-World, Observational Study – https://diabetes.jmir.org/2023/1/e47638
17. Glucose Monitoring l Monitoring and the ADCES 7 danatech – https://www.adces.org/education/danatech/glucose-monitoring/glucose-meters-(bgm)-monitoring/bgm-in-professional-practice/monitoring-the-adces-7
18. PDF – https://professional.diabetes.org/sites/default/files/media/0553_otce_vol_1_no_1_advancing_health_equity_in_diabetes.pdf
19. Glucose Monitoring l Self-Monitoring with Meters l danatech – https://www.adces.org/education/danatech/glucose-monitoring/glucose-meters-(bgm)-monitoring/bgm-in-professional-practice/self-monitoring-with-bgms
20. Decrease Treatment Burden following the Application of ADCES7 and WHOICOPE in a Diabetic Frail Elderly Lady with Multimorbidity – https://www.fortunejournals.com/articles/decrease-treatment-burden-following-the-application-of-adces7-and-whoicope-in-a-diabetic-frail-elderly-lady-with-multimorbidity.html