Caregivers
Diabetes affects more than just the person with the disease. If you are caring for someone with diabetes, here are some tips to help keep your loved one with diabetes on track.
Educate Yourself
The more you know about diabetes, then the more you will be able to help your loved one.
Encourage Healthy Nutrition
Be active in your loved one's daily routines of healthy eating. Discover alternative healthy options for preparing favorite foods; encourage a diet full of fruits and vegetables; stress portion control and offer a variety of food choices. Smaller, more frequent meals are typically recommended for people with diabetes. Healthy nutrition is not only important for people with diabetes; it is important for everyone. Participating in similar eating habits promotes healthy nutrition for both of you.
Support a Healthy Lifestyle
Incorporate exercise into your loved one's daily routine, whenever possible. A strong link between Type 2 diabetes and obesity has been established. Benefits of regular physical activity are numerous. You don't have to join a gym or buy expensive exercise equipment, but rather find activities you and your loved one can do together. Take the stairs instead of the elevator; park farther away from the store, rather than using the remote, walk to the television to change the channel.
Stress to your loved one with diabetes that exercise can:
- Lower blood glucose levels
- Increase metabolism and promote weight loss
- Increase muscle mass and, therefore, burn extra calories
- Improve the body's response to its own insulin, thereby reducing the need for medications
- Reduce the risk for other conditions related to diabetes such as heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure
Know Your Loved One's Diabetes Care Plan
Encourage adherence to medications and regular blood glucose checks. Know what to do if blood glucose readings are too high or too low and know your loved one's blood glucose goals. Assist your loved one in keeping routine medical appointments and understanding necessary tests. The following chart lists some commonly recommended screenings:
Kidney check (Type 1 patients who have had diabetes for over 5 years; Type 2 patients at diagnosis) |
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Comprehensive and dilated eye examination by an eye specialist (Type 1 patients within 5 years after onset of diabetes; Type 2 patients at diagnosis) |
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Cholesterol (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) |
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A1C |
A1C (goal < 7.0 mg/dl) or every 6 months if previous value is normal |
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Blood pressure check (goal < 130/80 mmHg) at every routine visit |
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Review of home blood glucose monitoring record |
Foot Exam (comprehensive) visual inspection should be done at every medical appointment |
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Kidney check |
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Cholesterol (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) more often if needed |
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Comprehensive and dilated eye examination by an eye specialist (Every 2-3 years may be considered following 1 or more normal eye exams) |
Exercise-stress test |
Remember that you are not in this alone. Your health care team is here to help.
Listen To Their Needs
Listening and offering encouragement and kind words is very helpful. During times of frustration, listen to your loved one's concerns and remain nonjudgmental. Your support and recommendations are very important in empowering your loved one to take good care of himself or herself. You and your loved one may find additional support or assistance with difficult issues through a diabetes support group.
Information on support can be found in our resource section.
