How to Help a Loved One 

Cope with Diabetes

When people have the support of their family and friends, they are able 

to better manage their diabetes. It is a hard disease to handle alone. You 

can help your loved one cope with diabetes by showing your support. 

This tip sheet tells you how.

Learn about diabetes.

There is a lot to learn about how people can live well with diabetes. Use 

what you learn to help your loved one manage his or her diabetes.

• Ask your loved one to teach you about how he or she is managing 

diabetes.

• Join a support group—in person or online—about living with diabetes. 

Check with your hospital or area health clinic to find one. 

• Read about diabetes online. Visit www.YourDiabetesInfo.org. 

• Ask your loved one’s health care team how you can learn more about 

managing diabetes.

Ask your loved one about coping with 

diabetes and how you can help.

Here are sample questions:

• Do you ever feel down or overwhelmed about all you have to do to 

manage your diabetes? 

• Have you set goals to manage your diabetes? 

• What things seem to get in the way of reaching your goals? 

• What can I do to help? (Example: Are there things I can do to make it 

easier for you to live with diabetes? If you want to be more active, will 

it help if we take walks together?) 

• Have you talked to your health care team about your diabetes care and 

how you want to reach your goals?

Helping a loved one cope with 

diabetes begins with talking.

ENGLISH
How you can help.

Try some of these tips to help your loved one.

• Find ways to help your loved one manage 

the stress of living with diabetes. Being a 

good listener is often the most important 

thing you can do to help.

• Ask your loved one if he or she would like 

reminders about doctor visits, when to check 

blood sugar, and when to take medicine.

• Help your loved one write a list of 

questions for the health care team.

• Eat well. Help your loved one make meals 

that include foods such as fruits, vegetables, 

and whole grains. 

• Find things you can do together such as 

walking, dancing, or gardening. Being active 

is a great way to handle stress.

Walking together daily gives you 

time to talk and stay active.

Write down three things you can do to help your loved one cope with diabetes.

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Cut back on sweets by serving fresh fruit for dessert.

Where to go for more help:

National Diabetes Education Program

1-888-693-NDEP (1-888-693-6337) 

TTY: 1-866-569-1162

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

Diabetes HealthSense: An online 

library of resources for living well. 

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/

HealthSense

American Association of Diabetes 

Educators

1-800-338-3633 

www.diabeteseducator.org

American Diabetes Association

1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)

www.diabetes.org

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

1-800-877-1600

www.eatright.org

National Diabetes Information 

Clearinghouse

1-800-860-8747 

www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) 

www.cdc.gov/diabetes

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

HHS’ NDEP is jointly sponsored by NIH and CDC with 

the support of more than 200 partner organizations.

Martha M. Funnell, M.S., R.N., C.D.E., Michigan 

Diabetes Research and Training Center, Ann Arbor, 

MI, reviewed this material for technical accuracy.

The NIDDK prints on recycled paper with bio-based 

ink.

Revised December 2013 

NIH Publication No. 14-5485 

NDEP-57