May 17, 2023
Diabetes Support Groups: Why Are They Important?
If you’re curious about diabetes support groups but don’t know how to get started, US MED can help. Here, you’ll find our comprehensive overview.
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These days, an estimated 1 in 10 American citizens has some form of diabetes. Still, managing this condition is notoriously difficult. If you have diabetes, you’ll need to do everything from testing your blood sugar to following a healthy meal plan – day in and day out. Keeping up with both diabetes management and your “normal” responsibilities can feel all but impossible at times. But since diabetes is so common, it’s easy to find other people in the same boat as you. One highly effective way to do this is by joining a diabetic support group in your area or online. If you’re curious about these organizations but don’t know how to get started, US MED can help. Here, you’ll find our comprehensive overview of diabetes support groups.
What is a diabetes support group?
If you’re already familiar with the concept of a support group, it shouldn’t be hard to understand diabetes support groups. These groups consist of multiple people living with diabetes who come together to discuss how this disease affects their lives and how they handle it.
Benefits of diabetes support groups
When combined with a thorough diabetes management strategy, participating in a diabetes support group can help you:
- Form new connections. Even though it’s a common condition, living with diabetes will feel isolating if you don’t know anyone dealing with the same challenges you are. Diabetes support groups can introduce you to people who understand precisely what you’re going through.
- Share diabetes management tips. No one knows everything about any subject, and that includes diabetes. But by joining a diabetes support group, you’ll have a place to share any tips you’ve found on living with this condition. Meanwhile, you might find new advice and coping strategies to put to use in your own life.
- Gain motivation – and help other members get motivated. Lifestyle changes are a big part of diabetes management. Of course, actually sticking to these changes can be difficult. Participating in support groups for diabetes can help keep you accountable for your decisions.
- Improve your emotional well-being. When you’re dealing with a chronic condition like diabetes, it’s normal to experience intense emotions. Having someone to talk to about your diagnosis will make coping with these feelings easier.
Types of support groups
With diabetes being as common as it is, it should be unsurprising to hear that there are as many types of support groups as there are types of diabetes. Depending on your needs, you could join a general diabetes support group or something more specific (like type 2 diabetes support groups or a childhood diabetes support group).
No matter what type of diabetes support group sounds right for you, these groups fall into two major categories: online and in-person support groups. Physical and digital support groups each offer some unique advantages, so considering both options is worthwhile.
Diabetes online support group
Online support groups for diabetes can be much larger than in-person groups, making it easy for you to get in touch with a diverse assortment of people who are all dealing with this disease. These groups also offer unmatched convenience – you can stop by whenever you need advice or emotional support.
In-person diabetes support group
While it’s easy to find a diabetes online support group, many people still prefer the experience of participating in an in-person group. By their very nature, these groups provide a stronger sense of connection than online groups. They can also offer things like speakers, fun activities, and information on local diabetes resources to their members.
How to find a support group
When you want to find a diabetic support group, your first step should be deciding whether you’d like to participate in one of these groups online or in person. The steps you’ll follow to find a support group will differ from there.
Go online
As is the case for most sources of information online, there are both reliable and unreliable diabetes support groups on the internet. Some highly reputable type 2 diabetes support groups online include support group apps such as Carenity and sites like:
Furthermore, there are large diabetes support groups on social media apps like Twitter and Facebook. While these groups can be helpful, some are unmoderated – and you could get unreliable or dangerous information from them as a result. Because of that, it’s wise to stick to social media diabetes support groups affiliated with trustworthy organizations.
Ask your healthcare team
If you’d rather participate in an in-person support group, you’ll need to find one that meets in your local area. Asking your diabetes healthcare team for advice is a great first step – the members of this team will undoubtedly be able to point you in the right direction. For more information on in-person support groups, attend diabetes-related events in your community or use the support group finders offered by the American Diabetes Association and the Defeat Diabetes Foundation.
Other resources
Diabetes support groups can be incredibly helpful when it comes to managing diabetes. Still, they aren’t the only valuable sources of diabetes knowledge out there. It’s also in your best interest to explore resources such as:
Diabetes organizations
Countless organizations provide counseling, education, and other forms of support to people with diabetes. A few diabetes organizations which should be on your radar are:
- American Diabetes Association
- Defeat Diabetes Foundation
- Diabetes Action
- Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation
- The diaTribe Foundation
US MED
If you’re managing diabetes, you need to find a trustworthy source for your diabetes supplies. For many diabetes patients, that means ordering products like CGMs, insulin pens, and diabetes testing supplies from US MED. No matter what diabetes supplies you need, you’ll benefit from our A+ Better Business Bureau rating, direct billing to insurance and Medicare, and free priority shipping.
Of course, that isn’t all US MED has to offer for people with diabetes. If you need the latest information about living with this condition, take a look at our blog! There, you’ll find overviews of cutting-edge diabetes products, advice on lifestyle changes that can help you successfully manage diabetes, and much more.