STAYING ON TRACK
Your diabetes care team
Help for diabetes is all around you. You just have to know who to put on your team.
Diabetes is a lot to handle for anyone. That’s why it’s so important to remember that you are not alone in managing your diabetes.
There are different types of doctors ready to help. They are there to help you get the care you need to manage your diabetes. Together, they form part of your diabetes care teamDiabetes care teamYour diabetes care team may include a primary care doctor, a diabetes and hormone doctor (endocrinologist), a registered nurse, a diabetes educator, a dietitian, a heart doctor (cardiologist), a foot doctor (podiatrist), an eye doctor (ophthalmologist/optometrist), a kidney doctor (nephrologist), a dentist, a pharmacist, and a mental health professional. . This can include:
- Primary doctor
- Diabetes educator
- Registered nurse
- Registered dietitian
- Heart doctor (cardiologist)
- Foot doctor (podiatrist)
- Eye doctor (either an ophthalmologist or optometrist)
- Kidney doctor (nephrologist)
- Dentist
- Pharmacist
- Mental health professional
Be sure to work closely with them. Stay involved, especially with your primary doctor, as you create a personalized diabetes care plan that can help get you to your goal and keep you there.
Family and friends
Your family and friends are also part of your care team. They can give support in many different ways.
The more your loved ones understand what goes into managing your diabetes, the better they may be able to help you when you need it. You may be pleasantly surprised at just how helpful family members and friends can be to you along the way. You can:
- Get them to stay active with you (it can be good for everyone)
- Have them join you during your doctor visits
- Prepare diabetes-friendly meals together for everyone to enjoy
- Teach those close to you what to do in case you need emergency help
Diabetes support groups
Get connected in your community! Here's a head start: The following groups have national headquarters as well as local chapters. To find their local chapters, check your phone book, go to the group’s website, or contact the national office.
American Diabetes Association
1701 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)
Email: AskADA@diabetes.org
www.diabetes.org
Children with Diabetes, Inc.
8216 Princeton-Glendale Road, PMB 200, West Chester, OH 45069‑1675
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
The College Diabetes Network
50 Milk Street, 17th Floor, Boston, MA 02109
www.collegediabetesnetwork.org
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
26 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
Phone: 1-800-533-CURE (1-800-533-2873)
Fax: 1-212-785-9595
Email: info@jdrf.org
www.jdrf.org
Online diabetes support
Support for diabetes-related problems
Vision issues
Diabetic neuropathy (nerve problems)
Kidney disease
