Support Tips For Spouses Of Diabetics
March 1, 2007 by Kendra James, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
I found a great article at WebMD that gives six great support tips to spouses of diabetics. Dealing with diabetes is a family affair. It affects not only the patient but the whole household. It is so important to keep the avenues of communication open and have a sense of humor. Having diabetes can change every aspect of life, if you let it! It can be all too consuming at times, but manageable with support, patience and whole lot of smiles and laughter.
Diabetes Support Tip number 1: Offer support, But Don’t Be The Diabetes Police
At first, when Weiss caught her husband sneaking junk food, she reminded him that it was off-limits. She asked him constantly about his blood sugar levels. “It took some time before I realized that diabetes had not just changed our lifestyle, it had changed me,” Weiss says. “I became a nagging spouse.”
While it’s tempting to hover, let your spouse decide what kind of help is welcome, Weiss says. Some people with diabetes will allow spouses ‘nagging rights’. Others won’t.
It’s also unrealistic to expect a spouse with diabetes to stay on top of the disease at all times. Says Weiss: “For Mike, it’s 24-7. He can’t take a break from this disease — ever. And I can.”
Find all six tips at WebMD.
Photo: tomdav
