The Top 6 Sources Of Help For People With Diabetes

Diabetes Support Groups

There are many diabetes support groups available across the country. Support groups usually have a facilitator and guest speakers who address a variety of topics, including self-management, managing stress and burnout from diabetes, lifestyle changes to diet and exercise, and preventing and managing complications. Groups may also be formed based on specific issues, such as the type of treatment its participants require; diabetics may use oral medications, injections of insulin, or insulin pumps to treat their disease. There are also groups for caregivers of diabetics or family members, including parents and children, to help all involved cope with the reality of living with diabetes and the serious complications that may occur if the disease is not managed properly.

Family Members

Close family members need to be involved in the treatment and management of a person's diabetes. When family members understand the disease and its serious risks, they can offer the support and encouragement people need to manage the disease. Diabetes education classes often allow family members to attend so family members can also learn about the disease, diet, exercise, medication, and other treatments. It is also helpful for family members to learn about the disease because diabetes tends to run in families. The risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes increases for family members. Children of diabetics have a one in seven chance of developing type 2 diabetes if diabetes was diagnosed before the age of fifty. If the diagnosis occurred after the age of fifty, the chance is one in thirteen. The risk may increase if either the mother or both parents have type 2 diabetes.