The 14^th of November each year marks the celebration of World Diabetes Day. The blue circle logo represents this campaign. It was adopted in the year 2007 after the passing of the UN resolution of diabetes, and it signifies the unity of the global community in response to diabetes. In ’20, the World Diabetes Day[1] theme for India and the world is “The Nurse and Diabetes”.

Source: worlddiabetesday.org

While the doctors, nurses, nutritionists, etc. are all caregivers, if you are giving care to a family member, then you are a caregiver too. Yes, you can become a caregiver to someone by having a proper understanding of diabetes. Diabetes care is not only about monitoring blood glucose levels. Caregivers also need to encourage and support the person so that they can lead a normal life.

As per the website of World Diabetes Day, the world needs 6 million more nurses to fight against diabetes. World Health Organization (WHO) ranks diabetes as the sixth deadliest disease in the world. National Family Caregiver Association (NFCA) supports and educates more than 50 million family caregivers in America. In today’s post, I am going to discuss the role of caregivers in the life of a diabetic patient.

Role of a caregiver[2]

• Prepare healthy and timely meals: A caregiver should prepare a diabetic-friendly meal plan that will ensure that they get the right amount of nutrients. You should make sure that the patient stays hydrated always and does not skip meals.

Ensure Diabetes Care[3] by Abbott can become a partner in your efforts to control blood sugar levels. It contains essential nutrients and helps to control your blood sugar levels in just four weeks.

• Being physically active: Diabetic patients must exercise regularly and stay active. In my previous post, I have discussed the role of exercise in controlling blood sugar levels.
• Timely Medication: Caregivers should ensure that the patient is taking all the medicines as directed by the physician. They should be able to give an insulin injection if required.

Some people with diabetes are afraid of insulin injections. Caregivers need to play an important role so that they can overcome their fear of injections.

• Regular Monitoring: A caregiver should regularly monitor the blood sugar levels. They should follow the advice of the doctor on the frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Caregivers should also monitor the effects of medicines and should notify the doctor if they do not see the desired results.
• Motivate and Support: Diabetic patients may come under stress due to the restrictions imposed on them. Caregivers should always initiate a positive conversation and, encourage them to fight against diabetes. Increased stress levels can increase blood sugar levels.

Care for Caregivers

Sometimes we see that caregivers end up ignoring their health while taking care of others. One should not forget that caregiving is not only about looking after the patient; it is also about paying attention to your own health. If you are a caregiver, you must exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, and have an adequate amount of sleep. If you are healthy, then you will able to support the patient in a much better way.

Source: worlddiabetesday.org

This World Diabetes Day lets appreciate all the caregivers who make a difference for the people who are affected by diabetes.

Disclaimer: This is an associated post written purely for public awareness. The author is not a qualified medical professional. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are the author’s own. This post should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.

[1] https://worlddiabetesday.org/

[2] https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/8/caregiving_diabetic_patients

[3] https://ensureindia.in/diabetes-care/understanding-diabetes