There is also a lot you can do to help a friend or loved one as they fight diabetes. You can offer encouragement because the seriousness of the disease makes life difficult for them. You can also learn about the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and what to do about them.
If you are the primary caregiver for someone with diabetes, there is more you can do:
- Remind patients to test their blood glucose levels on time
- Help patients with appointments and visits
- Proactively record the patient’s symptoms and other conditions and help the patient present to the doctor
- Talk with patients about how to manage emergencies or complications from diabetes
- Help patients choose the right foods and prepare a healthy diet with them
- Go to a diabetes support group with the patient
Assist patients to take their medications
People with diabetes need to take their medications as prescribed and may sometimes need help from others.
Make sure the patient has the ability to take the medication on their own. Can the patient open the cap of the bottle or inject the insulin by themselves? Is the medication needed to treat diabetes placed in a location that is easily accessible?
If a patient needs to take a capsule or pill, you can use a reminder pill box. These plastic containers are labeled with the days of the week and divided into different times of the day. You can buy them at major pharmacies. Fill the box with the medications you need to take for a week or a month at a time, as needed. Check the box regularly to make sure you haven’t missed any doses.
Your friend or loved one may have poor vision or may not be able to read the instructions on the medicine bottle. Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to have the patient’s vision checked.
Get help
Take care of the patient and take care of yourself at the same time. If caring for a patient starts to feel stressful, it can be helpful to talk to someone you trust, whether it is with a friend, a loved one, or a counselor. You can also join a support group.
Consult the patient’s doctor or find a support group in your local hospital.