D Dealing with iabetes
Let's play Santa

Dr. Ellen Andrews

If you have people on your Christmas list who are diabetic, your gift could make it easier for them to care for their diabetes. Often people with chronic illness feel they're a burden. They're fed up with being sick and don't want to talk about it. But they do need encouragement from their families. In addition to other Christmas gifts, you could provide things that show you're there to help them all year long.

People with diabetes need to do test their blood sugar at home, and that means getting a machine called a glucometer. Medicare and other insurances do cover this expense, needing only a prescription from the doctor. These machines are sold in pharmacies and department stores like Walmart. Often machines are given away for free, since the manufacturers make all their profit from sale of the test strips.

Already have the machine? Then extra test strips are always welcome and available without a prescription, too.

Something else they need is a blood pressure cuff, to check blood pressure at home. It is easy to learn how to use one.

Most diabetics do have high blood pressure, which if uncontrolled does even more harm to their circulation.

For exercise, it's handy to have small weights of 1 to 3 lbs, which can be used while watching TV or talking on the phone. They're very inexpensive.

Another help in exercising is a pedometer. Even wearing one around the house as they do chores can make people more motivated to "keep moving."

Medic-alert bracelets or medals can be made more attractive with a pair of pliers. A bracelet or necklace of pretty stones can surround a medal. If you can make a calendar on your computer, you could format one that's easy to read and includes reminders of doctor's visits.

Every three months, insert a reminder to get an A1C blood test, which measures the average blood sugar during that time.

Additional prompts might be "have you had your cholesterol checked yet this year?" and come fall, reminders about flu or pneumonia shots. The last Wednesday of every month is when the diabetes support group meets, too.

There are diabetes magazines, something else a person might not buy for himself, but would enjoy reading. Your local librarian can help you select one. If you tape TV shows, you could tape the program that's on Sunday nights about diabetes on the MSN cable channel, for viewing later as a family.

Some families print out "coupons" for certain treats, like breakfast in bed. You could make coupons for a walk together every week, or as a promise to accompany them to their doctor or dietician, dentist, foot doctor and or eye doctor.

Helping people live with diabetes will help you stay together as a family, and that's what it's all about.

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