Common Health Issues

Developing Support Systems for Diabetes Management

• By Rich Health Editorial Team
• November 12, 2021

One thing that can greatly help you on the road to living a healthier life with diabetes is developing a support system, a network of family, friends, health care professionals, and people with whom you can share your feelings, concerns, and tips for healthy living.

 

DIABETES SUPPORT SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

The first thing you can do to cultivate a support system is to reach out to those around you. Talk to your family and friends. Tell them about your diabetes and how you manage it. Discuss any specific concerns you have and let them know what they can do to help you. Make sure anyone who is close to you knows what to do in an emergency. More than anything, let them know you need their encouragement and support. Also, let them know that you are still the same person you always have been—just paying more attention to living a healthy lifestyle.

 

You may also want to enroll in some diabetes education classes. There you will meet other people facing the same day-to-day issues as you are. Many hospitals and community health organizations also offer diabetes support groups. Consider participating in one of these activities. 

You may also want to bring your family members or friends along so that they might understand some of the issues you are dealing with. Talking to other people who are going through the same thing as you will help you feel less alone, provide additional encouragement and help you pick up tips for dealing with some of the practical aspects of managing your diabetes.

 

Also, if you have access to laptop or mobile phone, you can tap into a wealth of information and support on the internet. Finally, don’t forget your health care team. Not only are they there to see to your medical condition, but they can also help you deal with some of the practical aspects of dealing with diabetes, as well as some of the emotional issues.

 

COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR DIABETES HEALTH CARE TEAM

Think of all the health care professionals that see to your medical health as members of your health care team. Your team should include your doctor, nurse educator, dietitian, eye doctor, podiatrist, exercise specialist, pharmacist, and mental health professional. Ideally, all these people should see themselves as a team that is committed to your welfare. The team is there to work together to make sure you have the knowledge to deal with your diabetes on a day-to-day basis, to provide the resources to help you make decisions that affect your health, to monitor your progress, and to help you out if any medical needs arise.

 

What You Should Do With Your Diabetes Support System

Make sure your doctor and other members of your team see themselves as a team and know about each other. Be sure that they have each other’s phone numbers and addresses. If you are making any changes in your life—quitting smoking or taking up jogging, for example—make sure all your team members know about it. Also, make sure everyone is fully informed if any problems should arise.

Don’t forget that you are the captain of your team. You are ultimately responsible for your health, and you are the one who puts your diabetes care plan into action. It is important that you be able to communicate freely with the members of your team. You should not feel uncomfortable asking questions or telling them about any problems that may arise. 

 

But it is not always easy to feel comfortable when you feel nervous, are worried or stressed, or feel under pressure. Often just walking into a doctor’s office can put you on edge. You may have specific things you want to discuss and then forget what you wanted to say. Here are a few tips to keeping the lines of communication open between you and the members of your health care team:

 

• Share the conversation. Your doctor should talk about 60% of the time and you should talk about 40% of the time. Make sure to speak up, ask questions, and share your concerns. But at the same time, don’t forget to listen and hear what your health care professional has to say. If your doctor doesn’t seem to have the time to listen to you, find a new doctor. Doctors have different strengths and weaknesses, so shop around, even within the same HMO.

 

• Write down everything you want to discuss with your team before you visit, and write down their answers as you go through each point

 

 

• If your team member is saying something you don’t understand, speak up. Sometimes health care professionals use jargon or technical terms that don’t make sense to the nonprofessional. And sometimes the information is too complex to understand. If this happens, ask your team member to explain it to you in terms you will understand. Write down any information or instructions you are likely to forget when you leave. Don’t worry about feeling “stupid” or asking something you think you ought to know already. It is important you understand everything your health care professionals tells you before you leave the office.

 

 

 

• Don’t be afraid to discuss sexual or personal topics. Your team members are professionals and prepared to deal with even the most sensitive topics. It’s important for you to get all the help you need. Don’t be embarrassed—many, many people have concerns just like yours.

 

• Don’t be afraid to discuss money. Your team members realize that financial issues can be troubling and can contribute to your anxiety. If you don’t think you can afford a treatment, or money concerns are keeping you from getting the care you need, talk to them. Many are willing to discuss payment options and may be able to direct you to the proper resources for additional assistance

 

• Think about bringing your spouse or support person to sit in on the visit. Often, another party can help you to remember things you wanted to ask or can remember what the team member told you

 

• If at any time you don’t feel comfortable with any member of your healthcare team or feel that you are not communicating effectively, consider interviewing other professionals until you find someone with whom you feel at ease

 

Sources and References

The Diabetes Problem Solver—Quick Answers to Your Questions About Treatment and Self-Care by Nancy Touchette

Diabetes Self-Care Behaviors and Disease Control in Support Group Attenders and Non-Attenders by C Chiou 

Group Affiliation in Self-Management: Support or Threat to Identity? By D Bossy, A Roger et al