Diabetes Caregiving: Helping a Loved One, Chapter 1: Your Role as a Caregiver
Learning Together
Learning side by side means sharing words, asking before joining visits and learning in small pieces.
See how learning side by side can help you both.
Diabetes has many words of its own. Two come up often, a low and a check.
A low means blood sugar has dropped lower than it should be. A check is a blood sugar test, often done with a small meter.
Ask your loved one which words they prefer to use.
You go to an appointment together only if your loved one wants you there. Ask them first. Ask whether they want company, and which topics they would like raised.
If they say yes, you can bring your questions. Ask the care team, the doctors and nurses who treat them, with their permission.
Their decisions stay with them, including which questions get asked.
Diabetes covers a lot. You can take it one piece at a time. Start with what comes up most in your day.
Write each question on one line as it comes up. Use a notebook or your phone. Add a short tag, like meals, appointments or lows, so you can find it later.
Bring the list to the next visit, or go through it together at home.
Key takeaways
- A low and a check are two words you will hear often.
- Join an appointment only when your loved one invites you.
- Write questions down as they come, and learn them one at a time.
Try it
Write down one question you have about their diabetes, then ask whether they want it raised at their next visit.