TEAM T1 - Teens Empowered to Actively Manage Type 1 Diabetes
TEAM T1 is a 5-day group education program designed for teenagers aged 14 – 18 years with type 1 diabetes. It has been adapted for adolescents from the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating program (DAFNE), a program for adults with type 1 diabetes, which teaches people the skills needed to achieve intensive insulin therapy with multiple daily injections (MDI).
TEAM T1 provides you with the skills to calculate how much insulin you need for the carbohydrate-containing food you want to eat, and to manage the day-to-day ups and downs of diabetes more effectively.
The program includes:
- Carbohydrate counting and flexible insulin doses to match carbohydrate in meals and snacks
- Guidance for correction doses, managing hypoglycaemia, sick days and exercise
- Emphasis a flexible approach that encourages self-management, problem-solving, and building confidence
- Hands-on, interactive learning with a small group of 6-8 teenagers with type 1 diabetes.
- Monitoring and blood glucose targets
- Insulin and dose adjustment (ratios, corrections)
- Managing at school, going out / parties, alcohol
- Future health and transition to adult services
- Communication with parents and health professionals
- Mental health and resilience
- Daily discussion of individual blood glucose results, food estimations and insulin doses.
The emphasis of the course is on active participation, using snack and lunch-times to practice carbohydrate counting, dose calculation and dose adjustment for exercise. The whole group contributes to discussion and problem-solving so that you learn from your own and each others’ experiences throughout the week.
You will receive a course handbook, carbohydrate counting references, blood glucose meter and record diary. An activity (such as indoor rock climbing or volleyball) is planned to put into practice exercise guidelines and is an opportunity for fun and socialising with your group.
Programs are conducted during school holidays and are led by an experienced diabetes nurse educator and dietitian. You will attend an individual appointment with a diabetes educator before the course commences, and be able to contact the educator after the program by telephone and email.
Parents attend a separate two-day program held in the same week as the teen course.
Is TEAM T1 for me?
- You could benefit from attending a TEAM T1 program if you:
- want to improve your blood glucose management
- have frequent hypoglycaemia
- have reduced awareness of hypos (don’t always have symptoms)
- participate in regular sport or exercise
- struggle with day to day management of your diabetes, diabetes-related distress or anxiety
- want a more flexible lifestyle
- want to know more about managing your diabetes.
To attend a TEAM T1 program you need to:
- have had type 1 diabetes for 6 months or longer (no longer in the honeymoon phase)
- be aged between 14 and 18 years
- not currently using an insulin pump
- be willing to attend a 5 day program during school holidays
- be willing to inject & monitor blood glucose at least 4 times/day
- have at least one parent attend the 2 day parent program
TEAM T1 Parent Program
Parents of teenagers attending the TEAM T1 program attend a 2-day parent support program conducted during the same week as the adolescent program.
Topics include:
- Parenting an adolescent with diabetes, communication and support
- Mental health and stress
- Transition to adult care
- Principles of insulin dose adjustment, ratios and corrective doses
- Sick day guidelines, hypoglycaemia and exercise
- Blood glucose monitoring and targets
- Carbohydrate counting theory and practice.
Dates for 2013
July
Location: Sunshine Hospital, Western Health, Furlong road St. Albans VIC
This program has been postponed. Please contact Lauren Cooper on (03) 8648 1866 or email TeamT1@diabetesvic.org.au, if you are interested in attending the TEAM T1 program at this location in the future.
September
Teen program: Monday 23rd – Friday 27th September 2013 (10am – 3pm)
Parent support program: Monday 23rd & Friday 27th September 2013 (Monday 9am – 3pm; Friday 10am – 3pm)
Location of September course: Clarendon College, 1425 Sturt Street, BALLARAT, VIC
For more information about the September program please click here.
To register please telephone Lauren Cooper on 03 8648 1866 or email TeamT1@diabetesvic.org.au
The TEAM T1 Project is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Chronic Disease Prevention and Service Improvement Fund.
