How Can You Help A Loved One Comply With Diabetes Treatment?

Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease. As such, it can often take a toll on patients and discourage them from following their diabetes management routine. In this case, the love, support and care of their family members and loved ones are very important. Caregivers, family and friends can help them feel less lonely and unmotivated. They can also help them comply better with their diabetes treatment. 

If you are a caregiver and are wondering how you can help your loved one, then keep reading to find some of the best tips.  

How To Help Your Loved Ones in Diabetes?

• Learn About Diabetes

If your loved one is suffering from diabetes, learn all there is about the disease. Know the type of diabetes they are suffering from, understand the complications that may follow in the future and discuss the modes of treatment with the doctor. 

If you are educated about the disease, you will be able to help your loved one better and also prevent any unforeseen emergencies. Also, try to break the stereotypes that have been built around diabetes. For example, people believe that you should not exercise during diabetes. However, the reality is that exercising helps in diabetes management. Hence, educate yourself and do not blindly follow stereotypes. 

• Promote A Healthy And Balanced Diet

People with diabetes need to eat healthy and nutritious meals full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This is particularly one such area of diabetes management where you can help the most. Not only can you encourage them to eat a healthy diet but also support them by not eating any unhealthy food in front of them.

• Become Their Exercise Buddy

Exercising regularly is key to managing diabetes. However, with time, it may become monotonous and exhausting. Therefore, many people with diabetes tend to quit exercising after a few months. In this case, you can encourage your loved ones by becoming their exercise buddy. If they have someone to wake up and exercise with, they will feel accountable and keep going. It will also help make the workout sessions fun and cheerful rather than a tiresome routine.    

• Manage Their Medications

One of the main tools for managing diabetes is medication. Taking the medicines on time is essential to controlling blood sugar levels. 

As caregivers, you can remind them of their medications and ensure they don’t miss any. Sometimes, people with diabetes may also face serious problems in taking their medications. They might face trouble while reading the prescription or opening a bottle of medicine due to the various complications of diabetes. In this case, you can help them significantly by giving them their medicines.

• Look Out For Hypoglycemia

Diabetes can often lead to extremely low blood sugar levels, a condition known as hypoglycemia. It is most prevalent during exercising or workouts. The common signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include fatigue, weakness, blurry vision, lack of coordination, etc. If hypoglycemia is not treated on time, it can lead to seizures, neurological problems or loss of consciousness. 

Therefore, you must educate yourself about hypoglycemia and remain aware of its symptoms. If you see any of these symptoms, measure the patient’s blood glucose levels immediately. In case, their blood sugar level is too low, serve them any carbohydrates, such as glucose pills, juice, snacks, etc.    

• Accompany Them To Their Doctor’s Appointments

Many people with diabetes find it extremely dreadful to attend their regular doctor’s appointments. The nervousness of the results makes them feel demotivated and lonely. You can offer to accompany them and support them during these visits. If you cannot go, you can stay connected via phone call and encourage them. You can also help cheer them up after these appointments by taking them shopping or to a movie. 

• Join Diabetes Support Group With Them

With time, diabetes can become overwhelming and frustrating for your loved one. They might need a place to vent their anger and frustration and feel supported. A support group is one such place. You can accompany your loved ones to these support groups and make them confident and motivated to participate. Support groups are also a safe space for caregivers as they understand their emotions and feelings and learn to better cope with the disease.      

• Relieve Their Stress

Diabetes patients need to reduce their stress to prevent high blood sugar levels. You can help them by doing some recreational activities with them, such as reading, watching a movie, etc. You can also join a poetry club, meditation group or a comedy class to help them relieve their stress and anxiety. 

• Be Optimistic And Offer Unconditional Love

As a caregiver, your most important job is to make them feel loved and supported. You must create a positive atmosphere around them. When they feel demotivated, you need to tell them how proud you are of their achievement so far and that everything will be fine. You constantly need to remind them that they are not their disease, and you will always love and support them, no matter what.

On A Final Note

If your loved one has diabetes, you can become their support system and help them cope better with the disease. There are many ways in which you can offer help and support. From managing their medications to accompanying them to their doctor’s appointments, you can do numerous things to reduce their stress and responsibilities.  

References

• https://www.healthline.com/health/support-someone-living-with-type-2-diabetes
• https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/how-to-support-someone-with-diabetes/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/caring-for-a-loved-one-with-diabetes/faq-20424136
• https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/stories/10-ways-to-support-your-loved-one-with-diabetes
• https://pharmeasy.in/blog/diabetes-caregiver-how-to-take-care-of-diabetic-patients/
• https://www.diabetes.co.uk/supporting-someone-with-diabetes.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/family-friends-diabetes.html