Diabetic Living Australia — July-August 2017

news • advice • research • products

Q

Ask

ELISSA

I’ve always managed my son’s

diabetes but he’s about to move

out. How can I make the transition

to self-management easy on him?

Elissa says: It’s not as hard as you

might think; if he’s old enough to

move out, he’s old enough to manage

his own diabetes! Help him out by:

Stocking up on supplies When

my sons moved out on their own,

I made sure they had everything

they needed first. So check he has

enough supplies to tide him over,

as well as the correct equipment

and back-ups. If he’s organised,

he’s more likely to manage his

diabetes correctly.

Checking in For the first week,

call him each day for a chat and

casually ask how his levels have

been. After that, just check in once

a week. This worked with my boys.

Trusting him – and yourself Keep

in mind if your son is working, or

at uni/TAFE, he’s already on his own

most of the time. So trust you’ve

established a solid routine he can

do on his own. He’s got this! ■

Email your questions to:

[email protected]

Post: Diabetic Living, Q&A: Health,

GPO Box 7805, Sydney, NSW 2001.

Elissa Renouf, owner of Diabete-ezy

and mum of four kids with

type 1. Her range of

convenient diabetes

products is available

at diabete-ezy.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

GETTY IMAGES

If your type 1 tyke is about to head off on their first

sleepover, follow these simple tips from Elissa Renouf

Sleep easy

AHEAD OF TIME A few

days before the sleepover,

contact the other parent(s)

to discuss your child’s

needs and the hands-on

involvement required of

them for your child to be

able to stay over.

ON THE DAY Make sure

your child has hypo snacks

in their bag, along with all

their essential equipment

and spare batteries. Also

pack their Personalised

Diabetes Management Plan

outlining their care routine,

including emergency

information and your contact

details. Chat with your child

and the other parent(s) about

their equipment and insulin

injections so that everyone

is on the same page.

The social network

Being diagnosed with type 1 is incredibly overwhelming for
any teen – especially if they don’t know anyone else already
living with diabetes. That’s where a support group can help.
“It’s important that (teens) have people their own age they
can turn to who understand what they’re going through,”
says Kristi Gale, who coordinates JDRF’s community
programs. Find an online network or in-person
group near you at jdrf.org.au/type-1-diabetes/
support-groups, and for more info, check
out our peer support story on
page 114.

16 JULY/AUGUST 2017 diabetic living

your kids