Each year – when the calendar ticks over to 14 November – we mark World Diabetes Day. When, regardless of different time zones and languages, the world works to raise awareness for those living with this chronic illness.
In this month’s blog we are marking World Diabetes Day by looking into what it is, but also how education and awareness can support people living with this all-encompassing condition.
Diabetes and wellbeing
For the next three years, the International Diabetes Federation – which is an umbrella organisation for over 240 national diabetes associations – has set a continuous theme of Diabetes and wellbeing.
So what does this mean?
Over the next three years, World Diabetes Day will spotlight a particular part of diabetes and wellbeing including:
- Physical wellbeing – the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and manage all types of diabetic diagnosis and complications.
- Societal wellbeing – the barriers which restrict a person living with diabetes from living a healthy and fulfilling life with their condition.
- Mental health wellbeing – raising awareness of the challenges, stress and anxiety which living with a chronic condition like diabetes can bring.
For this year’s World Diabetes Day, you can do your part to raise awareness. You don’t have to have diabetes to participate. You can read more about how you can get involved here.
The role of education
Like all health-related awareness days; the goal is education.
Education is the cornerstone of diabetes management, and it is two-fold: it’s about raising awareness and educating the general public, but it’s also about ensuring patients with diabetes have access to quality supports and education to manage their condition.
If patients understand the condition, they can feel empowered to take control of their health. This can include things like:
- Understanding how food choices affect blood sugars
- Teaching the role of exercise in maintaining a healthy weight and improving insulin sensitivity.
- Teaching patients how to regularly check their blood glucose levels and interpret the results.
- Providing patients with access and information about new technologies to manage their condition, including apps.
Days like World Diabetes Day also allow for the general public to be exposed to diabetes care and education. This includes things like:
- Raising awareness for signs and symptoms of diabetes
- Providing information about preventive steps in relation to Type 2 diabetes
- Showcasing the impact diabetes can have in a patient’s life to create understanding
- Raise money for Diabetes organisations in your local area
Accessing care for diabetes
Access to quality care is incredibly important when you are diagnosed with diabetes. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been for decades, you’ll likely be exposed to a large number of medical teams; and lots of medical terms!
Wrapping your head around how to manage glucose levels down to the decimal place can be overwhelming; as can managing any secondary complications of the condition. This is why it can be so vital to access professional healthcare as part of your journey with diabetes. This can include things like:
- In-home care
- Nutrition and dietetics support
- Physical activity and exercise
- Wound management and prevention
- Support attending medical appointments
- Medication administration
Focused Health Care can help
At Focused Health Care, our team of nurses and support workers have extensive experience managing diabetes for patients of all ages. Our team provide quality care to not only manage your condition but get you into the best shape to understand your individual requirements and feel empowered to make healthy choices.
If you think you could benefit from some additional support managing your diabetes diagnosis, get in touch with our highly experienced team today.
