Caring for Someone With Type 2 Diabetes

5 min readType 2 Diabetes BasicsPart 18 of 18

In brief

Support from family and friends is linked with better self-care and blood sugar, but it works best as teamwork, not policing.
If the person takes insulin or a sulfonylurea, learn to recognize and treat low blood sugar with the 15-15 rule.
Caregivers need support too. Looking after your own health helps you help them.

When someone you love has type 2 diabetes, it can be hard to know how to help. Say too little and you may feel you are watching them struggle. Say too much and it can feel like nagging. This guide covers practical ways to support someone, what to do in an emergency, and how to look after yourself along the way.

Be a teammate, not the “diabetes police”

Studies show that supportive family involvement is linked with better self-management, while critical or controlling behavior, such as commenting on every food choice, is linked with worse outcomes and more distress. The person with diabetes is in charge of their own condition. Your role is to make healthy choices easier.

Helpful

“How can I help this week?”
Cooking the same healthy meals for everyone
Going for a walk together after dinner
Coming to appointments if they want you there
Celebrating effort, not just numbers

Less helpful

“Should you really be eating that?”
Commenting on every glucose reading
Scare stories about complications
Hiding food or making separate “diabetic” meals
Taking over without asking

Practical ways to help

Make the healthy choice easy

Keep water, fruit and vegetables visible at home, and sweets and sugary drinks less so. Everyone benefits.

Move together

Walks, dancing, gardening or a class are more fun with company.

Help with logistics

Appointment reminders, prescription refills or a weekly pill organizer, if they want help.

Learn together

Join a diabetes education session. Reading this series is a great start.

Encouragement and shared activities help more than reminders and warnings.

Low blood sugar: know the signs

People taking insulin or sulfonylureas (such as gliclazide or glimepiride) can develop low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), usually below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). It can come on quickly. Signs include:

Shaky, sweaty, fast heartbeat

Often the first signs, along with hunger and anxiety.

Confused or irritable

Trouble concentrating, unusual behavior, slurred speech. It can look like being drunk.

Pale, dizzy, blurred vision

Weakness, headache, tingling lips.

At night

Nightmares, sweating, or waking with a headache.

How to help: the 15-15 rule

If they are awake and can swallow

CheckIf possible, check glucose. Below 70 mg/dL, or unsure? Treat.

Give 15 g fast sugar4 glucose tablets, or 1/2 cup juice or regular soda

Wait 15 minutesThen check again

Repeat if still lowUntil above 70 mg/dL

Snack or mealIf the next meal is over an hour away

Emergency: if the person is unconscious, having a seizure or cannot swallow safely

Do not put food or drink in their mouth.
Give glucagon if it has been prescribed and you have been shown how (nasal spray or injection).
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US). Place them on their side.

Ask the person’s care team whether glucagon is right for them, and learn where it is kept. You can read more in Type 2 Diabetes Medicines Explained.

When to get help for high blood sugar

Seek urgent care if the person has very high readings with vomiting, extreme thirst, confusion, drowsiness or signs of dehydration, especially when they are ill. See Early Signs and Symptoms for the warning signs.

Looking after yourself

Caring for someone, especially an older parent or someone with complications, can be tiring. Caregivers often put their own health last.

Share the load with other family members, and accept offers of help.
Keep your own check-ups. If you share genes or habits, your own diabetes risk may be higher. Try our Diabetes Risk Check.
Protect time for sleep, activity and things you enjoy.
Talk to someone if you feel overwhelmed. Caregiver support groups exist in many communities and online.

If the person you care for seems low or overwhelmed, read Diabetes Distress and Depression together.

Common questions

How can I bring up concerns without causing an argument?

Choose a calm moment, use "I" statements ("I worry when…") rather than blame, and ask how they feel about their diabetes before offering ideas. Asking "What would be most helpful from me?" invites teamwork instead of defensiveness.

Should I keep sweets out of the house?

Many families find it easier if tempting foods are not always on display, and everyone benefits from fewer sugary snacks. People with diabetes can still enjoy treats in moderation, so talk together about what feels supportive rather than making rules on their behalf.

What should be in a hypo kit?

Glucose tablets or gel, a small juice box or regular soda, a longer-acting snack such as crackers, the person's meter, and glucagon if prescribed. Keep one at home, one in the car and one in their bag, and check expiry dates regularly.

Key takeaways

Support works best as teamwork: encourage, share healthy habits and ask how to help.
Learn the signs of low blood sugar and the 15-15 rule.
Call for emergency help if the person cannot swallow or is unconscious.
Look after your own health too. Back to the start: What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes Basics: all 18 articles

Sources

Mayberry LS, Osborn CY. Family support, medication adherence, and glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(6):1239–1245.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 6. Glycemic Goals, Hypoglycemia, and Hyperglycemic Crises: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S132.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia).
Young-Hyman D, et al. Psychosocial care for people with diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(12):2126–2140.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor, diabetes educator or pharmacist.

How we review: Every Vitablizz article is checked against the sources it cites and updated when guidance changes. This article is for education and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Read our Editorial Policy.