Diabetes help.?

A friend of mines father has recently found out he has diabetes and im trying to put together a care package to send to her to help out. Her father has moved in with her so she can help him out and he doesnt have insurance and they have little money. I know about the cookbook but what else can help until they back on their feet? Were there any other books that you know of that are good?I dont know much about this disease and am not sure what things would make a difference to just try and offer help. Thanks so much!

I was diagnosed diabetic last year and then decided to make a comprehensive website to help other diabetics to find all the information at one place.

Visit my free website http://www.reddiabetes.com.

I hope that you will find it helpful.

Mail me if you need for information

diabetes is a serious disease. Following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. But your efforts are worthwhile. Careful management of type 1 diabetes can reduce your risk of serious 鈥?even life-threatening 鈥?complications. Consider these 10 tips:

Make a commitment to managing your diabetes. Learn all you can about type 1 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.
Identify yourself. Wear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes. Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency 鈥?and make sure your friends and loved ones know how to use it.
Schedule a yearly physical and regular eye exams. Your regular diabetes checkups aren't meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical, your doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications, as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.
Keep your immunizations up-to-date. High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. Get a flu shot every year, and get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Your doctor may recommend the pneumonia vaccine or other immunizations as well.
Take care of your teeth. Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.
Pay attention to your feet. Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water. Dry them gently, especially between the toes, and moisturize with lotion. Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling. Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that doesn't start to heal within a few days.
Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Medication may be needed, too.
If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.
If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly. Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. Remember to include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie count.
Take stress seriously. If you're stressed, it's easy to abandon your usual diabetes management routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.
Above all, stay positive. The good habits you adopt today can help you enjoy an active, healthy life with type 1 diabetes.

I would suggest to her to contact the American Diabetes Association, and request a package of materials on diet and exercise and menus for diabetics. Diabetes changes you life in many ways.

Hi there ive been a diabetic for 15 yrs I was ten when they diagnozed me with it look as long as he eats healthy and drinks lots of water and checks his sugar levels constantly he will be fine eating healthy doesnt mean starving. i go to buffets i eat one good served plate with meats and noodles and potatoes then i follow it with a nice big salad with egg cheese just take the insulin he will b fine

Dont listen to the first comment. Thats so not true. If you take care of yourself, then you wont drop dead like that guy said.
DANG! i hate it when people say your going to die. When they dont even know anything about the fricken disease.

whats the point there is no cure you are going to die sorry. live you life like its your last day

This can be a daunting challenge until you learn to eat smarter and with moderation. Then you have to avoid eating too simple. I have posted a day's menu on my blog site to illustrate it's not hard and does not have to be boring.

Visit my blog site and decide for your self. I will update time to time.

Best Wishes.

I would suggest ignoring the first response for a start!

I'm in Australia but you could try looking at the websites below and print any plain English fact-sheets they have available and send them to your friend. You say you don't know much about the disease - well chances are if your friend's father has just found out he has diabetes he probably doesn't know much either.

Try printing out fact-sheets that have information that is new to you from:
http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

Also try this site it has information specifically for people without insurance.
http://www.diabeticinamerica.com/

As a little rant I just need to say that it is shameful that people in America can not access health care unless they have Insurance. Fortunately Australia has recently had a change in government which may stop us moving in the same direction.


I forgot to add that apart from information some practical items to send would be:

diabetic socks
medical alert jewelery
foot creams (I'm not sure of brand names in the US)

Your heart is in the right place to want to do this. Talk to them and find out what they need. It might be the alcohol towelettes or something as simple as a refrigerated pack to store insulin in when they go on trips somewhere.
It is a big change that your friend has gone through taking her father in. To have diabetes on top, that adds to the picture. Being there for her is something that can be a help more than you know.