CAREGIVERS NEED SUPPORT TO HELP DIABETIC FAMILY MEMBERS –
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease which requires daily monitoring. With the pace of society today, people dealing with the constant monitoring can find it daunting. Some caregivers, whether it be a spouse, parent or sibling, may experience resistance when trying to help with the monitoring health. Did you know that the FitBit device will monitor glucose levels for you? I am very impressed with everything this little device will do. Check out the website here! 
While we expect children to be children, one spouse told me that she struggles getting her husband and her son (each Type 1 diabetics) to watch their diet. She is at a loss on how to stress how important it is to maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy foods, and exercise daily. What happens to diabetics if they refuse to care for this disease? What if they do not control their blood sugar levels? According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), if an individual does not maintain a healthy lifestyle, control their diabetes with insulin and other medications, he/she can cause damage to every organ system of the body: The central nervous system, vision, cardiovascular, kidney, skin, sexual, teeth and gums, musculoskeletal, cognitive, and digestive systems.
The AACE suggests that diabetics can lower their risk of complications if they know their ABCs—your A1c level, your blood pressure, and your cholesterol profile. Education is key in helping our loved ones manage this disease. Some great websites I have found for encouraging healthy lifestyles and diabetic monitoring are:
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep/index.htm
Providing support for your loved ones may take some technical help. Tracking can be made easier if technology is utilized to help everyone understand where you are, what needs to be done and how improvements can be made. Check out this website to . . .
https://www.mysugarlevel.com/default.asp?
http://www.boxfreeconcepts.com/diabeteschart/tracker/index.html
To track your activities, you should invest in a Fitbit. The FitBit keeps track of your activity and sleep patterns. It will count your steps, count calories, and provide motivation. On-line tools are provided for your computer or smartphone. You can set goals and track your progress. In addition, you can log your food, weight, and workouts. One of the BEST features is that the FitBit will track your GLUCOSE! Order your Fitbit today!
