Q. Guidelines for the Family Members for Healthy Coping?

- Patient and the family members should discuss the situation, change in role,time distribution, share of money and other resources, understand each other and give time to accept the change.

- One person should come forward to take up the responsibility of the patient. This means one should see that patient takes medicine as given by doctor, learns how to give insulin injection in case patient needs help, modify the diet, keep the record of exercise, blood sugar, blood pressure, take patient for regular check up, etc.

- Family members will have to share the work which was earlier carried out by the patient.

- Share the feelings of the family members by listening, expressing concern and encouraging them to share and take up the responsibility and adjust to the changing situation.

- Helping the family to develop and maintain relationship with the care providers.

- Receiving advice, information and instructions from the doctor on time. In case of any doubt or complication immediately contact the concerned doctor.

- In case of any new problem with regard to the patient, all members of the family should sit together to find a solution to the problem.

- Patient and family should share their feelings and problems with friends and colleagues, thereby getting extra support and this helps in sharing the feelings too.

- At times, family members have to prepare themselves for unseen incidents which may arise as complications and arrange for immediate visit to the doctor or hospital. They have to ensure that a person accompanies the patient. Extra money and transport to take the patient should be made available.