How Family Members Can Help with Diabetes Management

23 Jan How Family Members Can Help with Diabetes Management

Supporting your family member with diabetes.

When one person in the family has diabetes, everyone in the family is affected. It’s natural to want to be supportive when someone you love has a chronic medical condition that impacts them on a daily basis. The first step to take is to understand the disease, and then you are in a better position to support your loved ones.

Understanding diabetes

There are two types of diabetes, although both involve the body’s inability to process sugar in the blood. This means that cells aren’t getting the energy they need, and that excess sugar builds up in the blood. Someone with diabetes can suffer from nerve damage, heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure as a result of their diabetes. Frequent doctor’s appointments may be necessary in order to keep their diabetes under control.

Lending support

• Work on eating together as a family. What family can’t benefit from a healthy diet? Family-friendly diabetic recipes include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. There are many recipes online that you can make that the whole family can enjoy.
• Find fun ways to exercise together. Physical activity is important to staying healthy with diabetes. Having an exercise partner can be motivating and inspiring. Fun physical activities can be done together, such as playing tennis, walking, jogging, taking a class, or swimming.
• Recognize possible problems. High blood sugar can cause frequent urination, extreme thirst, blurry vision, and fatigue. Low blood sugar can cause fatigue, sweating, twitching, and passing out. Ask your loved ones to carry a piece of sugary candy around in case there are any signs of low blood sugar. Staying one step ahead helps your loved one.

Being there for your family is a top priority. A great way to show your loved ones you care is to secure reliable life insurance. If you need help securing a life insurance policy is best for you and your family’s needs, get in touch with industry professionals. Contact Kevin or Marci to get started on securing the right life insurance today!