Caring for a Loved One with Type 1 Diabetes

 A Guide for Caregivers – Featuring CONTOUR®PLUS ELITE: Being a caregiver for someone with Type 1 diabetes is a significant responsibility. Here are practical tips to help you provide the best possible support.

 

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Understanding Type 1 Diabetes Arrow icon
Why is Blood Sugar Monitoring Crucial? Arrow icon
Essential Caregiver Tips Arrow icon
Daily Life Strategies Arrow icon
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help Arrow icon
Caregiver Self-Care: You Matter Too! Arrow icon

Understanding Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This means the body no longer produces insulin, a vital hormone that helps convert blood sugar into energy.

People with Type 1 diabetes need daily insulin injections or an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar levels and stay healthy.

While it often begins in childhood or adolescence, it can affect adults at any age.

 

Why is Blood Sugar Monitoring Crucial?

Regular blood sugar monitoring is fundamental to managing Type 1 diabetes effectively. It empowers caregivers and individuals with diabetes to:

  • Prevent Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): Promptly identify and treat low blood sugar, which can be dangerous if left unaddressed.
  • Avoid Long-Term Complications: Maintain blood sugar levels within a healthy range to reduce the risk of serious long-term complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart.
  • Adjust Insulin Doses: Make informed decisions about insulin dosages based on current blood sugar readings, food intake, and activity levels.

Target Blood Sugar Levels:

  • Before meals: 80–130 mg/dL (4.4-7.2 mmol/L)
  • 2 hours after meals: <180 mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L)

Learn more about monitoring blood sugar levels with CONTOUR®PLUS ELITE.

 

Essential Caregiver Tips

Being a caregiver for someone with Type 1 diabetes is a significant responsibility. Here are practical tips to help you provide the best possible support:

  • Master Routine Blood Sugar Checks: Become proficient in assisting with and performing regular blood sugar checks.
  • Recognize and Respond to Low Blood Sugar: Be vigilant for signs of hypoglycemia, such as shakiness, sweating, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, irritability, or hunger. Always have a fast-acting source of glucose readily available.
  • Leverage Technology: Utilize the CONTOUR®DIABETES app to track blood sugar trends, insulin administration, food intake, and any symptoms. This data is invaluable for making informed care decisions and sharing with healthcare providers.
  • Navigate Adolescent Challenges: As children with Type 1 diabetes grow into adolescence, managing their condition can become more complex. Issues like changing behavior or a strong desire for independence may lead to missed insulin doses or inconsistent monitoring. Approach these challenges with patience, encourage open communication, and involve them in their care decisions to foster trust and accountability.
 

Daily Life Strategies

Integrating diabetes management into daily life can be made easier with these strategies:

  • Master Carb Counting: Learn to accurately count carbohydrates in meals and snacks. This skill is essential for calculating appropriate insulin doses and balancing blood sugar levels.
  • Exercise Safely: Encourage physical activity but always check blood sugar levels before, during, and after exercise to prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Have snacks or glucose readily available.
  • Offer Unwavering Emotional Support: Living with Type 1 diabetes can be emotionally overwhelming, frustrating, and isolating. Create an open and supportive environment where your loved one feels comfortable expressing their feelings.
  • Address Physical Pain and Mental Health: Blood sugar checks and insulin injections can be physically uncomfortable and emotionally draining, particularly for children. Validate their feelings, offer comfort, and consider small rewards or distractions after difficult moments. Exploring counseling or peer support groups can also provide valuable coping mechanisms for both your loved one and yourself.
  • Complement CGM with BGM: While Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) offer valuable real-time tracking, they are not infallible. If your loved one experiences symptoms of hypoglycemia that don't align with CGM readings, or if you need to confirm a reading before making a treatment decision, using an accurate1 Blood Glucose Meter (BGM) like CONTOUR®PLUS ELITE provides added reassurance and support decision making.2,3
 

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Know when to call for professional medical assistance:

  • Persistent High or Low Blood Sugar: If blood sugar levels remain above 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L) or below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) despite taking appropriate action.4
  • Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): Watch for signs of DKA, an emergency condition, which include persistent nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity-smelling breath, rapid breathing, extreme thirst, and confusion.
 

Caregiver Self-Care: You Matter Too!

Caring for someone with Type 1 diabetes is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing your own well-being is not selfish; it's essential for sustainable caregiving.

  • Take Regular Breaks: It's okay to step back and recharge. Even short breaks can help prevent burnout and refresh your perspective.
  • Maintain Your Health: Make time for yourself to eat nutritious meals, stay active, and get adequate sleep.
  • Reach Out for Support: Connect with other caregivers who understand your unique challenges. Consider talking to a mental health professional if you feel overwhelmed or stressed. You are not alone.
  • Stay Informed: Continuously learning more about diabetes management, new technologies, and coping strategies can reduce stress and build your confidence.

Supporting your loved one effectively begins with supporting yourself.

 

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs and health condition.

We do not endorse or control the content of third-party websites. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, we are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or reliability of any external sites. Please review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

References:

1. Klaff L. et al. Accuracy and User Performance of a New Blood Glucose Monitoring System. JDST 2021, Vol. 15(6) 1382-1389

2. Boettcher C, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2015;17:275–82. 

3. Pardo S, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2018;12:650–56

4. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee; 13. Older Adults: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024. Diabetes Care 1 January 2024; 47 (Supplement_1): S244 - S257. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc24-S013