Diabetes Caregiver Mythbusters

If you live with and support someone with diabetes, you don’t need to be told that it can be challenging. You may wonder if you’re doing enough to help your loved one, or if you’re doing the right things. You may also be concerned about how to motivate a diabetic who isn’t always interested in eating a healthy diet, exercising, or doing regular glucose tests.

Questions About Diabetes?
These worries can be aggravated by myths you may have heard about helping someone with diabetes. To learn how best to take care of your loved one while taking care of yourself, read on.

A diagnosis of diabetes can be frightening. Diabetics are often concerned about deteriorating health and serious complications such as blindness and amputations, and need to be able to talk about their fears. The good news is that many people with diabetes live long, healthy lives, but it’s unrealistic to expect to always look on the bright side. Instead, sit down and have an honest talk about how you’re both feeling. This can reassure you that you’re in this together.

The more you learn about diabetes, the more your loved one benefits. A study at Chicago’s University of Health Sciences found that patients 65 and older had improvements in glucose control once their partners got educated about the disease. Tag along to diabetes education classes and diabetes-related appointments. If you do the household food shopping and cooking, meet with your loved one’s registered dietician. Learning about diabetes and your family member or friend’s specific health needs will make it easier for you to help.

Of course, young children will need your guidance when it comes to glucose monitoring and what and how to eat. But for older children, teens, and adults, it’s best if caregivers resist the urge to nag and lecture. This can create stress, and stress can raise blood sugar levels, according to a study at Loyola College in Baltimore. It can also make people more resistant to following their treatment regimens. Instead, ask what you might be able to do differently to help.

Visit A Diabetic Educator Together
This is a difficult situation, but your goal is to not make it easy for your loved one to lose control of their diabetes management. Don’t buy them junk food if they ask for it. Instead, keep unhealthy foods that tempt them out of the house and make nutritious food choices available. If your loved one smokes, establish a no-smoking-in-the-house rule. If they’re lax about blood glucose testing or exercising, don’t make excuses for them. With these strategies, you let them know that you love them too much to help them sabotage their health.

Eating a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise is good for everyone, not just people with diabetes. And it will be easier for your loved one to embrace a lifestyle of eating right and being active if you do, too. So come up with healthy menus that appeal to both of you. Then find some forms of exercise that you both enjoy. Whether you walk, bike, garden, play tennis, dance, or anything else that gets you moving, you’ll improve your cardiovascular fitness and build strength while you’re having fun.

Especially when you support someone else, regular time off to take care of yourself is a must. Go to a movie, join a meditation class, have coffee with a friend, get a massage, check out the sales at the mall, go for a long walk—do whatever shifts the focus onto you and your needs. If you have a child with diabetes, find a caregiver or babysitter experienced in diabetes care who can periodically give you a break.

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