What you can do for your loved one with diabetes

If your mother, father, husband, wife, grandfather, grandmother or another loved one has diabetes, there are things you can do to help. First, try to understand how it feels to have diabetes. Some people might feel:
   • In denial
   • A lack of control
   • Overwhelmed
   • Scared
   • Depressed
   • Angry

There are things a person can do to live a healthy life with diabetes. This is what your loved one might be doing every day:
   • Testing blood sugar several times each day
   • Changing their eating habits to eat foods with less sugar and fat
   • Changing their eating habits to include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein
   • Being more active by walking, working out at a wellness center, splitting wood, etc.
   • Resting when needed and trying not to get “stressed out”
   • Going to medical appointments more often
   • Taking diabetes pills every day or giving themselves insulin shots

You can help your loved one with diabetes. Here is what you can do:
   • Keep up your usual relationship with them
   • Ask them if there is anything you can do to support them with their diabetes (provide a ride to the clinic or be a support person at a doctor’s appointment)
   • Be positive when they are drinking water instead of pop or eating baked foods instead of deep-fried foods
   • Try not to nag or judge them when they make a choice you think isn’t healthy for them
   • Join them in making healthy food choices
   • Walk with them or invite them on a walk
   • Let them rest and have stress-free time to take care of themselves

One of the best ways you can support your loved one with diabetes is to let them know they are inspiring you. You can become a champion in the fight against diabetes. You can prevent diabetes by being physically active every day and staying at a healthy weight.

Tell your loved one, “I want to help you stay healthy with diabetes, and I want to be healthy myself. Let me join you in making healthy lifestyle changes. You have inspired me to stay healthy and fight diabetes. Thank you.”

If you’d like support from Tribal Health’s Behavioral Health Program call: 745-3525, ext. 5014