When your partner or a family member is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, you may feel some relief. You’ve likely been through a few health difficulties and some concern as you visit doctors with your loved one, trying to find the root of their health issues. Once the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes has been made, you can finally move forward into the management stages of the illness.

Creating a support system for your family member or partner is essential. Without support from the people around us, dealing with a disease can be isolating and create even more health problems, like anxiety and depression.

Here are 3 ways to support your family members or partner with diabetes.

#1. Ask for help

As the non-diabetic in the relationship, it may seem counter-intuitive to be the one asking for help. However, asking your loved one how you can best support them is the first step to building a successful support structure. We all have different ways we deal with support; some of us do well being asked directly if our blood sugar is low, or if we need to sit down. Others need to wait to be approached and will ask for help themselves if and when they need it.

When in doubt, ask your loved one what they need. This may be diabetic or non-diabetic related, but it could help improve your communication and their situation overall.

#2. Know what to do in an emergency

In a health emergency, you may be the first one on hand to support your loved one until medical professionals arrive. Discuss with your partner or family member what you should do if they lose consciousness or experience another medical emergency related to their diabetes. If they don’t already have a medical ID, make sure they have one that they carry with them all the time.

Have their doctor’s information in both of your phones so that you can call them in case your partner or family member needs to go to the hospital.

Finally, know what medications your loved one takes as well as detailed information about their insulin and insulin pump. If this device malfunctions, you’ll want to know what you can do to keep their blood glucose regular until you are able to replace that device.

#3. Be patient

You can’t always tell when someone’s blood sugars are too high or too low, so be patient. Your partner or loved one may look and act completely normally, but their body is desperately trying to regulate blood glucose that is too high or too low.

Supporting your loved one through a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis can be challenging, but your support is immensely helpful to them. Working together can strengthen your relationship and ensure they have someone to look out for them should a medical emergency arise.