| When you go to work, your diabetes goes with | | | | - The biggest challenge many people with |
| you. | | | | diabetes face is access to meals and breaks. |
| | | | Have snacks readily available should you need |
| You get up, get showered, get breakfast, get | | | | to treat a low. |
| to work. You have bills, therefore you have a | | | | |
| job. | | | | 8. Take your equipment with you |
| | | | |
| But you also have diabetes. You have to care | | | | - Keep your blood glucose meter and supplies |
| for your diabetes while you're at work. Here | | | | where you can reach them. Don't leave blood |
| are 10 tips for merging your diabetes care | | | | glucose meters or insulin in the car. Extreme |
| with your career. | | | | temperatures can affect them. |
| | | | |
| 1. Wear medical identification jewelry | | | | 9. Watch out for stress |
| | | | |
| - If you ever need medical assistance at | | | | - Stress can wreak havoc on your blood |
| work, the emergency medical personnel will | | | | sugars. Stress can cause either high or low |
| know you have diabetes. | | | | blood sugar. It differs from person to |
| | | | person, and sometimes from situation to |
| 2. Decide who to tell | | | | situation in the same person. Stress may mask |
| | | | symptoms of low blood sugar, or prompt |
| - All things being equal, it might be in your | | | | completely different symptoms. Frequent |
| best interest to let a few trusted co-workers | | | | monitoring is your best defense. |
| or your boss know. Just for your own safety. | | | | |
| | | | 10. Keep good diabetes control |
| 3. Give your co-workers a chance | | | | |
| | | | - The best thing you can do to remain |
| - Don't just assume that your boss won't | | | | productive is to stay healthy. Don't let your |
| accommodate you, or that your co-workers | | | | diabetes get so far out of control that |
| won't be helpful. Give them a chance to grasp | | | | you're not able to work. If you're eating |
| what diabetes is and understand how they can | | | | well, exercising, and controlling your blood |
| help you, particularly if you've been | | | | sugars, you will have a productive work life. |
| diagnosed since starting your current job. | | | | |
| Diabetes may be as new to them as it is to | | | | The payoff from a job well done is that if |
| you. | | | | and when you need to take time off for your |
| | | | diabetes care, your boss and co-workers will |
| 4. Get it in writing | | | | remember your good track record and be that |
| | | | much more willing to cover for you or help |
| - If necessary, get a doctor's note. It may | | | | you with scheduling. By communicating with |
| help to get a medical statement from your | | | | your employer and taking responsibility for |
| doctor saying what your diabetes care needs | | | | your care, you can incorporate your diabetes |
| are. Present it to your company nurse or | | | | care into your work life successfully. |
| human resources department, and make sure | | | | |
| your supervisor gets a copy. | | | | If you feel that your employer is not making |
| | | | reasonable accommodations to allow you to |
| 5. Be your own advocate | | | | care for your diabetes at work, contact the |
| | | | Equal Employment Opportunity Commission |
| - Your local hospital or diabetes center may | | | | (EEOC) at: (800) 669-4000 or (800) 669-6820 |
| offer programs through which diabetes | | | | TTY. |
| educators can come to your workplace and | | | | |
| explain to your human resources department, | | | | Ask your doctor about diabetes and have your |
| supervisors, or co-workers what diabetes is | | | | blood sugar checked several times a year. |
| and how they can make the workplace more | | | | |
| diabetes-friendly. See if your employer is | | | | For more information about diabetes, |
| willing to host such a program. | | | | including a Diabetes Quiz and a Free booklet, |
| | | | visit the Hope4Diabetes website at: |
| 6. Don't abuse the system | | | | |
| | | | This 20 page FREE booklet will provide you |
| - Unfortunately, there are people who claim | | | | with in-depth information on comprehensive |
| extensive health challenges and reap | | | | diabetes care. The 7 principles, or steps, |
| disability benefits their situation may not | | | | will help you to understand, manage and |
| warrant. That makes it harder for everyone. | | | | diagnose your potential diabetes risk. |
| It's best to save sick days and disability | | | | |
| pay for when you really need them. | | | | It could help you live a longer and more |
| | | | active life. The booklet is Yours absolutely |
| 7. Plan ahead | | | | FREE - No Risk! Share it NOW with the people |
| | | | you love and want to Keep alive! |