How to help my relative who has diabetes

Parents raising diabetic children will encounter many barriers which may adversely affect the prescribed care plan for the disease. Parents identify barriers in all aspects of diabetes self management including barriers to; glucose monitoring, medication, and diet and exercise adherence. Cultural beliefs about food and physical activity and lack of access to exercise are often problematic. It is also difficult for parents to promote healthy behaviors such as good dietary and physical behaviors when other members of the family are obese and not performing healthy behaviors. Parents who are not in good health are less likely to push their child to better self-management of the disease. Similarly, if family members are practicing unhealthy behaviors the child may become normalized to these behaviors as view them as routine. These behaviors can contribute to further complications with the disease and a more rapid disease progression.

Several studies have demonstrated that family involvement and family based interventions like goal setting can improve adherence to care plans and facilitate glycemic control. These studies also show that family involvement is associated with fewer unhealthy behaviors. When helping adolescents cope with diabetes, parents and physicians need to be sensitive to the impact of family and peers on adherence to the prescribed care plan. Peers and peer relationships should be discussed with the family and child and the discussion should include whether a close relative or peer suffers from diabetes and if their diabetes is in good control. If not, relevant family habits should be addressed with further discussion and education. Alternately, having a friend or family member whose diabetes is under control provides a learning opportunity and a mentor for proper diabetes management. These individuals can provide support, a strong positive influence, and prevent the children from feeling isolated with their disease.

Beyond creating a healthy environment at home, parents should reach out to school officials and parents of the child's friends for their cooperation in promoting better disease management and a healthier lifestyle. It is important for the family raising a diabetic child not to underestimate the impact of the environment they are creating on their child's behaviord. Promoting a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and physical exercise coupled with pressing your child for better disease management through goal-setting and awarding appropriate behavior can mitigate many effects of the disease and lead to a longer and healthier life for you and your family.