or the local chapter of the American Diabetes. Association to find out which diabetes conferences or work most stressful aspect of diabetes management. …
Diabetes Management
In Sickness and in Health:
Helping a Loved One Manage Diabetes
M
eal planning, daily physical activity, blood-sugar monitoring and medications The day-in and dayout requirements of diabetes management can overwhelm those with this chronic disease Thats where loving family members can help, says Eve Gehling, RD, a certified diabetes educator and author of The Family and Friends Guide to Diabetes The best way to help someone with diabetes is to first learn what diabetes is and how its treated Doing so will help you support your loved ones efforts to manage his or her blood-glucose levels, care for your family member when he or she is ill, and prepare healthful meals he or she will enjoy
Steps to take
Offer to go to doctors appointments together or attend a diabetes education program Check with your local health care providers or the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association to find out which diabetes conferences or workshops will be in your town, says Ms Gehling Offer to attend with him or her, or provide a ride or baby-sitting so your loved one can attend Be active together Go walking, go dancing or rake the lawn together Not only does being
physically active help diabetes management, it also reduces stress and increases energy levels Help with food shopping and meal planning, especially if your family member should lose weight The diabetes diet
Diabetes Management
The best way to help someone with diabetes is to first learn what diabetes is and how its treated
is one of the healthiest, promoting heart health and weight control The entire family can benefit from following it If you dont want to follow the entire diet, try not to eat foods high in sugar and fats, and opt for whole grains, fruits and vegetables Be aware of how you think about and use food Many people are brought up to express their love for others through food, says Ms Gehling Try to show your affection in ways other than baking or buying sweets Encourage your loved one to use a meter to check bloodsugar glucose levels Blood-sugar monitoring often is the most stressful aspect of diabetes management Every blood-glucose test gives useful info 
rmation, says Ms Gehling It provides the person with a better understanding of the changes that can be caused by hormones, illness, exercise, stress or diet Frequent blood testing also helps people with diabetes
learn how to fine-tune their diabetes control Ms Gehling suggests family members not focus solely on the numbers; instead, she says they should congratulate their loved one for checking his or her blood-sugar levels regularly and encourage him or her to continue doing so Family members should learn the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia low blood sugar and hyperglycemia high blood sugar They should learn how to help the loved one manage diabetes if he or she gets the flu or other illness Ms Gehling also recommends that family members provide support by giving positive reinforcement rather than pointing out negatives or nagging The amount of support available from family and friends is an important predictor of successful diabetes management, she says The type of support needed will differ from person to person, so rather than assuming whats best for your loved one, simply ask how you can help And after you ask, the most important thing to do is listen to the answer
Resources
n
n
Tests
If you have diabetes, be sure to ask your doctor about these important tests: n HbA1c n blood pressure n cholesterol n dilated eye exam n urine test for protein
To help you manage diabetes, visit
our Online Diabetes Center at wwwcarefirstcom/diabetes for educational articles and interactive calculators, quizzes and trackers If you dont have diabetes, find out if youre at risk by taking the diabetes risk assessment Our Diabetes Management Program offers eligible members access to nurses, who will work with you and your doctor to support your treatment plan, set goals and track your progress You will also receive a new member kit and quarterly bulletins that are filled with tips to help you manage your condition To find out if you are eligible, call 800-783-4582 Members whose primary insurance is Medicare are not eligible for this program and should call Medicare at 800-MEDICARE or visit its Web site at wwwmedicaregov/Health/Diabetesasp
