Loneliness is doing it alone
Introduction
How many of you have support to deal with your diabetes treatment and have discussed your needs with your primary support person? I will not take a guess on how many have support, but on the discussion side, we find at Damndiabetes.ca that few people with diabetes have discussions with their support person that addresses their needs.
This article discusses some of the finer points all toward the goal of helping you create a better quality of life living with diabetes. I can speak from experience. I learned the hard way.
Living with Diabetes
Living with diabetes and dealing with diabetes treatment every day, it is a blessing to have that special person who can support you and keep you on the right path. It could be your wife, your partner, parents or children, members of a support group, or one of our staff at Damndiabetes.ca. It is very important to find the “right person” who can take the time and effort to help you. It can be as simple as having someone to talk to, to help deal with frustrations or someone who has lived and breathed what you are going through.
Living with diabetes is a game-changer. I just look at my life as an example. The diabetes diet is completely different; restaurants are not set up to feed us, and there are new regimes for exercising, and just about every facet that we face.
In my view, having the right support person is the difference between a short life and a better quality of life and following are a few tips that may help you:
Where to Start?
You went to the doctor and got the news. You have Type II diabetes and now what do you do? You will have a lot on your plate; Eating right, checking your blood sugar, taking your medications, staying active, and seeing your doctor for regular visits are all part of diabetes treatment. Having support can make all these tasks feel a lot less overwhelming.
To help with the above and more, start by looking at home. If not your wife or partner, who other may live with you and be able to give a helping hand? If not in the home, then your option is to reach out to a friend or others who may be available including Damndiabetes.ca We are always available to help the best we can.
The Job of the Support Person
Ask the people who live with you to join your support team. That could be your partner, parents, roommate, or children. Let them know exactly what they can do to help you. Maybe they can remind you to take your medication, cook a healthy meal for you during the week, or take a walk with you after dinner.
Following are a few suggestions to discuss with your diabetes support partner:
Discuss the need for good communication – both ways. Your support person just may require a helping hand too in certain situations.
Discuss what foods you can, or cannot eat. These may change often so good communications are key.
Discuss how they can help you with checking blood sugar levels and possibly taking your medication.
Discuss how they can support you without being unreasonable, opinionated, or unfair. Sometimes the people around you can unintentionally make it more difficult for you to achieve your goals. Explain that it will be easier for you to manage your diabetes if they ask you for guidance on how they can support your efforts. Offer some suggestions on simple ways they can help with your diabetes treatment.
Diabetes Treatment
If your family isn’t as helpful as you’d think they should be, please remember this is new for them too. They may not truly understand how to help and a good reason to go back to “rule number 1: communicate.”
Have a family meeting and be specific about what you need from your family:
“Take a walk with me.”
“Join me in ordering healthier foods and water instead of soda when we go out to eat.”
“Keep tempting foods stored out of sight or in another location.”
“Let’s try out a new healthy recipe together.”
“Help me make a plan for meals and shop from a list.”
Conclusion
What is the most supportive thing a loved one can do on a regular basis to help you manage your diabetes? It is up to you, but tops on my list are being there when I do need support and listening. For all of us, we will have our frustrating moments and having that friendly ear to bend is as good as any medicine.
“Hey, support person, time to check my blood glucose level and thanks for the help.” And to all, if we at Damndiabetes.ca can help in any way, we are as close as a phone call or Email. Call on us today!
Best wishes ...
Wayne Drury was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes over one year ago. He was frustrated with the lack of usable information on the treatment of diabetes and how to lower blood sugar effectively. His passion now, using all he has found with diabetes research, is helping others on a path to a better quality of life living with diabetes, which he shares on his personal website.
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