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Nov. 20, 2025—It's natural to want to help a loved one manage their diabetes and stay healthy. And the good news is that people with diabetes do better when they have support. But how can you offer positive encouragement without coming across as nagging?

Try these tips from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Breakthrough T1D and other experts.

Help without hounding

Ask your loved one what you can do to support them. They may want help with self-care, whether that's meal planning, medication reminders, attending checkups or something else. Or they may be fine with handling things on their own. Seek permission and respect their boundaries. Aim to support, not to control or intrude.

Lend an empathetic ear. Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming. Your loved one may simply need someone to talk to sometimes. You don't have to have all the answers. Just being present matters. Being a good listener takes practice. This guidance can help.

Learn about diabetes. You'll be a better supporter when you understand diabetes and the lifestyle changes and medications often used to manage it. Diabetes treatment plans are individualized, so what works for someone else may not be right for your loved one. Much has changed about diabetes care, but a lot of misunderstandings persist, according to Breakthrough T1D. For starters, did you know that sweets aren't off-limits? Learn more about diabetes myths.

Lead by example. If you share meals with your loved one, eat the same healthy foods. Take walks or do other exercises together. Healthy habits are easier to accomplish together.

Don't be the food police. You may not agree with every food choice your loved one makes. But the ADA recommends trying to withhold judgment. Instead, support them in making small changes toward a healthier eating plan. For example, you might check out a diabetes-friendly cookbook together to find new ways to fit their favorite foods into their meal plan.

Know how to handle a diabetes emergency. A person with diabetes can have very high (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia) blood sugar, says the American Red Cross. Learn the signs and how to treat it. If your loved one has low blood sugar, giving them a quick source of sugar, like fruit juice, can help stabilize their levels. You also can learn to give them a glucagon injection to treat severe low blood sugar.

Managing diabetes is challenging. Tell your loved one how proud you are of their efforts. And celebrate their wins.

Sources

• AARP. "How to Be a Caregiver for Someone With Diabetes." https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/medical/diabetes-caregiver/.
• American Diabetes Association. "Dealing With the Food Police." https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/mental-health/dealing-with-food-police.
• American Diabetes Association. "Get Up to Speed on Diabetes." https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/newly-diagnosed/get-up-to-speed-diabetes-knowledge.
• American Red Cross. "Diabetic Emergencies: How to Help." https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/learn-first-aid/diabetic-emergencies.
• Breakthrough T1D. "How to Support Someone You Love Who Lives With Type 1 Diabetes (Without Pressure)." https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/support-someone-living-with-type-1-diabetes/.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Helping Friends and Family With Diabetes." https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/caring/index.html.
• National Council on Aging. "Older Adults and Diabetes: How Social Support Can Help." https://www.ncoa.org/article/older-adults-and-diabetes-how-social-support-can-help/.