Type 2 diabetes affects family members because they believe that a diagnosis of diabetes means there can’t be any more sugar and carbohydrates. Family members think:
- Should I eat around my loved one?
- I shouldn’t’ eat a candy bar around him or her.
- I shouldn’t eat cake around him or her.
- We can’t have pasta as a family anymore because it’s not good for people with diabetes.
There are old notions and myths around what diabetes means and it feels like a huge shift and a huge change in food.
As a result of these beliefs family members feel stressed about their own diet due to the fact that one family member has to go through just some mild changes in diet. The old notion that there can’t be sugar or carbohydrates in the house isn’t entirely true. There should be coverage done. For example, if there is a birthday and birthday cake, making sure the cake is eaten in a timely manner with the rest of the meal.
How Families Can Support Their Loved Ones with Type 2
Family members can ask the loved one with type 2 diabetes how they want to be supported. People with type 2 don’t want to talk about their diabetes or have the dinner conversation be about what they can and can’t eat. Have discussions about food away from meals. Treat them normal during dinner.
Family members can ask the loved one with type 2 diabetes how they want to be supported. People with type 2 don’t want to talk about their diabetes or have the dinner conversation be about what they can and can’t eat. Have discussions about food away from meals. Treat them normal during dinner.
Asking your loved one what would help is probably the best course of action. Family members shouldn’t pretend to know everything there is to know about diabetes. The person with diabetes is going to be the expert; they are the one going through it. Family members can meet them half way and ask what can I do for you or what is it you want from me and the rest of the family?
Sometimes the best course of action is taking all of the sugar out of the house to eliminate temptation. This is one strategy but it doesn’t work for everyone. Everyone has their own need for different levels and types of support. The biggest support family members can give is love.
Working with the Family
I work with the family and the patient together and separately. Separation is necessary because venting needs to occur about what is happening. Working with the family members and patients together ensures that everyone hears everything said and the patient can’t say “I forgot.” The patient is there to witness the conversation.
I work with the family and the patient together and separately. Separation is necessary because venting needs to occur about what is happening. Working with the family members and patients together ensures that everyone hears everything said and the patient can’t say “I forgot.” The patient is there to witness the conversation.
The family sessions are centered on the best ways to support the patient in their efforts. There is a lot of information available about diabetes and re-education occurs. For example, any food is not completely off limits. Keeping that in mind, there is nothing they can not have ever again; all foods are available in moderation. The family diet will go to a healthier place, which might be good for the family, depending on their needs and goals. The family diet will probably experience an up level in nutrients, vitamins and minerals but it’s not going to shift dramatically.
Through discussion and asking me questions, I help family members understand and realize that the food shift is not going to be dramatic. Because there is so much education available without a professional and I don’t want to educate on what they already know, I ask family members what they know about diabetes. If they know a lot, I fill in the gaps and we don’t waste time.
The emphasis is focusing on the psychological impact of what they are going through as family members of a loved one with diabetes. I focus on the psychological impact between the family and the patient and practicing support techniques. The family learns how to support their loved one in a way that’s meaningful for the loved one, not to satisfy their own issues. I help create support techniques for the family and patient to use that helps the patient successfully go beyond their diagnosis.
A person with diabetes is going to experience more empowerment when the entire family does not focus on the diabetes and treat them like a disease. When a person is treated as the diagnosis it’s very difficult to shift away from that identity. When the person is treated like a normal person, that’s when the management of a disease can occur.
Watch for my next post on how the patient can support the family. Stay informed about what is happening at Ramey Nutrition by signing up for my free newsletter.
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