How to support a loved one who is diagnosed with diabetes ?

Living with diabetes is not an easy task. Diabetes comes with numerous battles that a diabetic fights on daily basis between his choices and chances. Each day a diabetic goes through tons of doubts and insecurity that contributes to bogging down their confidence.

As a loved one and as a family member what you can do is become an ardent support system. While he or she fights his/her own battles, it is you whose support would make a huge difference.

Here is what you need to do when your loved one is diagnosed with diabetes –

• Be a patient listener– With medication flowing throw their bloodstreams the endless amount of stress upon their diet often makes them cranky. Be a patient listener to them. Let them vent out and explain how exactly it feels. This may not reduce their crankiness but at least it will make them realize that they have someone to lean on.
• Be anything but a nagger– It is important for them to eat healthily and diet is a crucial element of diabetes but nagging won’t help. Always remember that there is a thin line between nagging and being supportive.
• Be encouraging– It is not easy to live with diabetes and hence as a family member or a close friend you need to be extremely encouraging. If you do not understand exactly how to do it then make it a point to attend diabetes support groups. These groups are specially designed for people who want to help their diabetic loved ones.
• Offer to exercise together– Exercise is a lot more fun when done together and that goes without saying. Being active and losing weight can lower blood glucose. Offer to become workout buddies and get together a few times a week. The target for a week is 30 minutes of activity most days, though if you do the vigorous activity, you can get away with three to four days a week.
• Offer to attend the doctor’s appointment– It is always nice to know that someone wants to accompany to the clinic. Do not hesitate to offer the same. Visiting the clinic would give you the right idea about the ways to take care. This is a commendable way to support without a doubt.

Being supportive is vital because whiles you cannot really do much to reduce your loved one’s diabetes you can always be right beside them as they battle against diabetes.