Preliminary action to take for someone with type 2 diabetes

The person in your care has just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and you're not sure how to help her handle this chronic condition. Here are nine things you can do right now to make sure her treatment is on track.

1. Offer support.

People react to a diabetes diagnosis in different ways. Some take it in stride. Others struggle with the information. Denial, fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, depression, and grief are all common responses. In time, the emotional roller-coaster will pass. For now, though, the person in your care needs your encouragement, empathy, patience, and understanding -- or just your ear so she can vent. It's important to listen without passing judgment or offering advice. Remember, too: While this is a serious problem, it's not insurmountable. You can assist by staying positive yourself and helping her learn to manage the condition.

2. Find the health professionals she needs.

With a diabetes diagnosis, she'll need to take a lot of responsibility for managing her own condition. But she doesn't have to go it alone. A variety of healthcare providers -- including doctors, nurses, diabetes educators, dietitians, social workers, and others -- can help. Working together as a team, these professionals provide ongoing care, education, and support to help her live a healthy life with diabetes. You can help her line them up so she doesn't feel overwhelmed by the task.

3. Sign her up for a class.

There's a lot to learn about diabetes and its treatment. Find a diabetes education class taught by a certified diabetes educator and sign up the person in your care to help her figure out how to manage the condition, organize a treatment plan, and learn new skills. Even better: Go along with her, if you can, and educate yourself about the disease as well. Medicare and most health insurance plans cover this service; check with her plan first to make sure.

4. Buy her a meter.

Talk with her main diabetes doctor, diabetes educator, or pharmacist to help you find the blood glucose meter that best fits her needs and budget. Medicare and most health insurers help pay for diabetes self-testing equipment and supplies, including meters, test strips, and lancets. Find out first what's covered under her plan. And make sure both of you get instruction on how to use a glucose meter from a health professional.