How You Can Help Your Loved One with Diabetes….
You want the best for your loved ones with diabetes- whether they are family members or friends. Maybe you are looking for ways to ease the pressure your mother feels. Or maybe you would like to help your husband take better control of his diabetes. It’s a hard disease to handle alone. You can make a big difference in how well your loved one copes with diabetes.
TIP 1…Learn about diabetes…Attend a class.
Look on the Internet.
Ask the doctor or nurse how you can learn
more.
TIP 2…Understand your loved one’s diabetes..Each person’s experience with diabetes is different. What things are hard for your friend to manage? What things are easy?
TIP 3…Find out what your loved one needs. Try asking these three
questions: What do I do that helps you with your diabetes?
What do I do that makes it harder for you to manage
your diabetes?
What can I do to help you more than I do now?
TIP 4…Talk about your feelings…Diabetes affects you, too. Telling your loved one how you feel can help both of you.
TIP 5…Offer practical help…Instead of nagging, find ways to be helpful.
Ask what would help your loved one most.
Offer to go to the doctor with your father or mother.
Take a walk with your wife.
Cook a tasty and healthy meal for a friend.
TIP 6… Try a new approach…When things aren’t going right, try something new. Find one thing that works and build from there.
TIP 7… Get help…Many people can help your loved one with diabetes.
Find a diabetes support group in the health section of your newspaper or on the Internet.
Ask your health care provider about ways to get help if your loved one is sad or depressed.
See the resource list for groups to contact.
Where to go for help..
American Association of Diabetes Educators
1-800-338-3633 or www.diabeteseducator.org
Find the name of an educator and community resources.
American Diabetes Association
1-800-DIABETES or www.diabetes.org
Ask for information about diabetes care.
American Dietetic Association
1-800877-1600 or www.eatright.org
Find a dietician to help your loved one eat healthy foods.
National Diabetes Education Program
1-800-438-5383 or www.ndep.nih.gov
Information about diabetes prevention and control.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-877-232-3422 or www.cdc.gov/diabetes
Information on government contacts in your state.