Tips for supporting a loved one suffering from diabetes.

When a family member is diagnosed with diabetes, it doesn’t just affect them.  Oftentimes, this chronic condition changes the lives of close family members and friends as they strive to offer help and support.  However, it’s important to remember that there is a right way and a wrong way to help a diabetes sufferer.  If a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, here are some of the things you need to keep in mind.

Supporting Diabetes Sufferers

If a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s important that you remind them that their condition does not have to compromise their lifestyle.  You can help your loved one manage their condition by doing the following:

  • Eating Together– Maintaining a healthy diet is a key component of managing diabetes. Eating with your loved one is a great way to help them keep their eating on track.  A balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein is not only good for people with diabetes, but it’s also great for everyone’s health!
  • Encouraging Exercise-Staying active is also an important part of managing diabetes symptoms. You can support your loved one by being their exercise partner and encouraging them to get moving, even when they lack motivation.
  • Watching Out for Problems– Finally, you can help your loved ones by watching out for signs that indicate their blood sugar levels are out of balance. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, extreme thirst, blurry vision, and fatigue.  Symptoms of low blood sugar include fatigue, inability to speak or think clearly, sweating, twitching, and passing out.  By watching out for these symptoms, you can be proactive about helping your loved one keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

How Not to Help

Supporting your loved ones does not mean hovering or being judgmental.  In fact, these behaviors can cause your loved one to become stressed—potentially worsening their condition.  Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind while supporting someone with diabetes.

  • Don’t Nag– Criticizing your loved one’s diet choices or activity levels can actually lead to more unhealthy behavior. If you notice that your loved one is making poor choices, then be patient and encouraging rather than critical.
  • Watch Your Own Diet– Oftentimes, it can be difficult for your loved one to change their eating habits, especially if they ate a lot of junk food before. To make matters worse, seeing someone eat all the foods they cannot eat makes it even more difficult to keep a healthy diet.  If you want to make it easier for your loved ones, then it’s important to change your diet as well.  Stocking up on healthy foods and making an effort to cook healthy meals for the whole family will make the diet transition a bit easier.

These are some of the things you need to remember when supporting a loved one who is suffering from diabetes.  Want another way to help your loved ones care for their health?  Then make sure you have the right health insurance in place.  For assistance with all your coverage needs, contact the experts at Randy Jones Insurance Services in Pleasanton, California, today.