Your health care team for diabetics

Your health care team is there to give you emotional support, reassurance and help you to build your confidence in coping with diabetes. If you, your family, or friends are concerned about any aspect of diabetes, your health care team would rather know about it. If the worry is groundless, then you can be reassured. If it has some cause then action can be taken.

You can also get a lot of support and encouragement from other people with diabetes – Diabetes UK Local Groups and Care events give you the change to hear how others cope in similar situations. We all respond in different ways to being diagnosed with diabetes – some to the extent that they feel like hiding it from everyone.

You may feel embarrassed and uncertain about how they will react, but letting people know can mean that you receive more support and understanding. 

Family and friends may be among the first people you tell, and like most people they probably know little about diabetes – but are keen to know more. If you live alone, telling your neighbors about your diabetes may make you feel safer, especially if you are older or at risk of having hypos. 

A simple explanation to your housemate may help their understanding too. If you are taking part in sport or physical activity it is sensible to tell the person who is leading the activity in case any problems arise.