There are many things you can do to help your loved 

one—a family member or friend—with diabetes. 

Use these tips to get started today.

Learn about diabetes.

There is a lot to learn about living well with diabetes. Use what 

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

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Join	a	support	group	about	living	with	diabetes.	

Check with your doctor, hospital, or area health clinic.

Read	about	diabetes	online.	

For help go to www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

Ask	your	loved	one’s	diabetes	health	care	team	

how you can learn more.

Talk to your loved one about coping with diabetes.

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What	things	are	hard	for	him	or	her	to	manage?	

What	things	are	easy?	

Does	your	loved	one	set	self-care	goals?		

How	does	he	or	she	stay	on	track	to	reach	these	goals?	

How	can	you	help	with	diabetes	care	tasks?	

Does	your	loved	one	feel	down	sometimes?	

What	can	you	do	to	help	him	or	her	feel	better?	

Does	your	loved	one	talk	to	his	or	her	doctor	or	other	

health	care	team	members	about	feeling	down?	

Find out what your loved one needs.

Ask	your	loved	one:	

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What	do	I	do	that	helps	you	with	your	diabetes?	

What	do	I	do	that	makes	it	harder	for	you	to	

manage	your	diabetes?

What	can	I	do	to	help	you	more	than	I	do	now?

Find ways to help.

Nagging will not help either you or your loved one. 

When	you	have	found	one	way	to	help,	add	another	way.	

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org or 1-888-693-NDEP (1-888-693-6337)

Robert’s goal is to be more 

active, so now he joins his 

wife walking their dog 

after work each day.

Carla helps Daniel maintain 

his goal of making healthy 

food choices by preparing 

meals at home.

Diabe

Help a Loved One

t

 with

es
I will take these three actions 

to help my loved one: By When:

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2.

3.

If it fits his or her lifestyle, you could offer 

to help your loved one: 

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figure	out	how	to	manage	diabetes	in	his	or	her	daily	life;

keep	track	of	visits	to	the	health	care	team;

make	a	list	of	questions	for	the	health	care	team;

go	on	a	visit	to	his	or	her	health	care	team;

find	where	to	buy	healthy,	low-cost	foods;

prepare	tasty,	healthy	meals;	or

find	a	safe	place	to	walk	or	to	be	more	active.

Diabetes is a hard disease to handle alone. 

You can have a big effect on how well your loved one 

copes with diabetes. Get started today.

Where to go 

for more help: 

National Diabetes 

Education Program

1-888-693-NDEP 

(1-888-693-6337) 

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

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

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 NDEP prints on recycled paper with bio-based ink.

Revised February 2011 

NIH Publication No. 12-5485 

NDEP-57

Mary helps with her mother’s goal of cutting back on sweets 

by making fresh fruit for dessert.

HHS’ NDEP is jointly sponsored by NIH and 

CDC with the support of more than 200 

partner organizations.

www.YourDiabetesInfo.org 

or 1-888-693-NDEP 

(1-888-693-6337)

TTY: 1-866-569-1162