How to Support Friends and Family with Diabetes

It can be hard to know how to help a friend or family member with diabetes. You may not know where to start. At times it can be a source of stress or conflict when you do not see eye-to-eye about what to do. Try out these ideas to help you better support your loved ones. 

Learn about diabetes. 
Check out reliable sources like the American Diabetes Association to learn more about the disease. There are lots of myths about diabetes – for example, it is a myth that people with diabetes should not eat carbs or sugar. Learn some common myths so that you can avoid them. 

Listen. 
Ask open-ended questions about how things are going with their diabetes, and what their main worries are. Then, listen to the answer without judgement. It can be helpful just to talk through things and to know that someone understands. In many cases, simply listening is more helpful than giving advice.

Avoid blame and judgement.
There is a lot of blame and shame around diabetes. Keep in mind that it is not anyone’s fault that they have diabetes. Sometimes people believe that if one just ate better, or lost weight, then they would not have diabetes, or their blood sugar would be fine. However, diabetes is a lot more complicated than that. Lots of things affect blood sugar. Diabetes can be hard to manage. Blame and judgement just make it even harder.

Provide encouragement.
Instead of focusing on things that you wish they were doing differently, focus on the positive efforts they are making. Celebrate the small steps of progress along the way. Managing diabetes is hard work, so let them know that you see it! Each person has strengths and it can be helpful to remind someone of their strengths and how they have overcome challenges in the past. 

Avoid giving advice unless asked.
Advice is most helpful when the person asks for it, rather than offering it unsolicited. Ask if they would like your input, or if they just want someone to listen. If they do invite your input, remember that there is not just one way to manage diabetes. For example, you might advise someone to stop drinking all pop. However, some people might prefer to drink zero-sugar pop, or just have a small amount of pop, instead of stopping it completely. Or they might be focused on something else altogether. There are many approaches to help keep blood sugar levels in a safe range.

Offer to help.
Ask if they would like your help, and if they do want help, ask how you can help. That could be help with meals, doing physical activity together, help with remembering medications, going along to doctor’s appointments, or doing something fun together to have a break. 

Know what to do in an emergency.
Learn the symptoms of highs and lows and how to respond to them. Severe low blood sugar is a risk mostly for people who are on certain medications, like insulin. If someone is at risk of having a severe low blood sugar, it is important to know what to do if they become confused or pass out. 

Care for yourself as well.
It can be hard to see a loved one struggling with their health. Being in a caregiving role can also be hard. Seeking support and trying to still care for your own physical and mental health is also important.

Diabetes can have lots of ups and downs, and having support can make it easier to get through the challenges. Everyone’s diabetes is different, and there is not just one “right” way to manage it. But by listening, encouraging, and helping when asked, you can help support your loved ones as best as possible.