Monique Marais, a social worker, highlights the power of community support when living with diabetes.
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Living with diabetes can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Community support plays a vital role in effectively managing diabetes. By tapping into the strength of community connections, you can find not just emotional support but also practical strategies to manage your condition better.
Three main forms of support
There are three main forms of support: behavioural, educational and psychological.
The benefits
You can harness the above benefits by joining support groups, meeting with healthcare professionals, and including your family in your journey.
Support groups offer valuable insights, inspiration by shared experiences, and helps you to make informed decisions and take accountability for your health.
In addition to support groups, community resources are essential for diabetes patients. These resources encompass a wide range of services and initiatives that aim to improve diabetes education, access to care, and overall quality of life.
Here are key community resources:
There are various diabetes communities, such as:
- In-person support groups
- Online support groups
- Social media networks and platforms
- Non-profit organisations such as The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Diabetes South Africa.
| SUPPORT GROUP | INFORMATION |
| Diabetes South Africa (DSA) |
|
| Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology (CDE) |
|
| Facebook support groups | There are various groups available, you can search and join a group where you feel comfortable.
Examples:
|
| Local Hospital and Clinic Support Groups | Many hospitals and clinics across South Africa offer diabetes support groups for their patients. It’s beneficial to inquire at your local healthcare facility about any support groups or educational programmes they may offer. |
Final thought
In conclusion, the benefits of support groups and community resources for patients with diabetes can’t be overstated. These resources provide emotional support, shared knowledge, motivation, and practical assistance that is vital for effectively managing this chronic condition. By embracing a holistic approach to diabetes management that includes both medical care and community support, people living with diabetes can lead healthier, happier lives despite the challenges of diabetes.
References
- Home – CDE | Centre for Development and Enterprise
- Home – South Africans with Diabetes (sweetlife.org.za)
- Diabetes Focus | Reclaim your winter comfort (diabetessa.org.za)
- Benefits of Support Groups & Community for Patients with Diabetes (mdforlives.com)
- Why social support is important in diabetes care (diabetesadvocacy.com)
- Understand the Power of Community Support for Diabetes (mindfuldiabetes.org)
- building-social-connections-and-family-508.pdf (cdc.gov)
- The Role of the Community Environment in Managing Diabetes Risk – Blog – NIDDK (nih.gov)
- https://cdn.slidesharecdn.com/ss_thumbnails/rnhealthcarediabetesfactsheetwebfinalwcpyrt-131106122756-phpapp02-thumbnail-4.jpg?cb=1383741647
MEET THE EXPERT
Monique Marais is a registered social worker at Care@Midstream sub-acute, specialising in physical rehabilitation for the past 11 years. She has a passion for the medical field and assisting people to understand and manage their diagnoses and the impact on their bio-psychosocial well-being.
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