Support persons include anyone other than parents who look after a child with type 1 diabetes, such as: Diabetes – What you need to know… A basic understanding of diabetes and it’s management is important for you to feel confident in looking after the child with type 1 diabetes and for the parent to be comfortable leaving their child in your care. Even if you know a little bit about diabetes, always listen to the child’s parents – they know their child and their child’s diabetes best. Although the child may have had diabetes for some time, they will always require adult supervision. What is diabetes? What causes type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is not related to lifestyle or caused by eating too many sweets. It’s not possible to catch diabetes from somebody else. How is type 1 diabetes treated? Giving Insulin Insulin may be given by injection via a syringe, pen or insulin pump. Insulin is vital and should not be missed. Parents may plan for the child not to need any injections while they are visiting or in your care, or they may ask you if you are willing to assist with giving the insulin. To make this as easy as possible for everyone, the parents can: If you are asked to assist with giving an insulin injection, it’s important to make sure that you give the right insulin, in the right dose, at the right time and that the child eats soon after their insulin injection. As insulin plans vary from child to child, you need to discuss the details with the child’s parents prior to the visit. Simple written instructions from the child’s parents are important for guidance. Testing Testing BGLs is an important part of diabetes care that can help parents plan the day to day management of their child’s diabetes. Even if the child with diabetes knows how to test, it is very important that carers and support persons also know how to perform a blood glucose test. The child’s parents can show you how to use the blood glucose meter and carry out the test. Blood glucose testing should be done at the following times: The child’s parents will advise you about their child’s BGLs, what to look for and how to manage different situations. Phone contact with parents can assist and reassure everyone involved. Hypos Hypoglycaemia (low BGL or hypo) occurs when the BGL drops to less than 4mmol/L or when hypo symptoms are being experienced at a level close to 4mmol/L. For children under 5 years of age, a BGL less than 5mmol/L is classed as a low BGL (hypo). What causes a hypo? What are the symptoms of a hypo? Young children may not say “I’m having a hypo”, they may use other words like – “I feel funny”, “I feel wobbly”, “I’m tired”. BGLs less than 4mmol/L (5mmol/L under 5 years) should be treated even when there are no symptoms. If in doubt, do not waste time doing blood glucose test. Mild – Moderate Hypo Treatment 1. Give any one of the following (you may need to coax the child to eat or drink): Symptoms usually disappear after 10-15 minutes, however if the BGL remains low and symptoms are still present, repeat the treatment and stay with the child. A child having a hypo should never be left alone. Following a hypo, you may find that the child is not able to rejoin the activity immediately. It can sometimes take longer than 15 minutes to completely recover from the hypo. 2. Follow up with extra carbohydrate food, such as fruit, a sandwich or biscuits. If a hypo occurs just before a scheduled meal or snack, follow with that meal or snack. Severe Hypo Treatment A Hypo Kit High BGLs Sometimes BGLs can go too high. This can be when the child: • Is sick or unwell Sometimes high BGLs happen for no reason at all. If the child’s BGL is above 15mmol/L and they’re feeling OK, they can join in all activities, but really active sports are not recommended. They should drink plenty of water and do another test if they're not feeling well. If the child’s BGL is above 15mmol/L and they're feeling sick, they might have ketones, which means that their diabetes is out of balance. High BGLs and ketones can make them really unwell, give them stomach pains, make them thirsty and want to go to the toilet a lot. If the child starts vomiting, seek advice immediately. When to seek advice… • If the child’s BGL is above 15mmol/L and they are sick Food Despite what many people think, there is no special “diabetic diet” for children with diabetes. A child with diabetes in your care should be encouraged to have the same healthy food choices as recommended for all children. Regular meals and snacks containing carbohydrate (eg. fruit and fruit juice, breads and cereals, milk and yoghurt, pasta, rice, potatoes, biscuits) may need to be included every 2-3 hours depending on the child’s insulin plan. Children with diabetes should also be included in parties and special occasions when in care. Discuss the child’s individual needs with the parents. Physical Activity All children, including those with diabetes should be encouraged to be active. In children with diabetes, physical activity can have varying affects on BGLs. Physical activity usually lowers BGLs by helping insulin to work better. Sometimes physical activity can cause BGLs to be high, usually from stress or excitement. It can affect children differently, so it’s a good idea to discuss any planned activity with the parents prior to the child’s visit as this may require them to make adjustments to the insulin dose. A child with diabetes who participates in physical activity may have to: It’s important that you as the carer are aware of the additional needs of a child with type 1 diabetes and assist the child to manage their diabetes during physical activity. Diabetes Education Parents should provide carers with sufficient information on their child’s diabetes management. Should you feel that you require further information, contact Diabetes Australia in your state or territory. Some hospitals also hold grandparents and babysitters education sessions that you may wish to attend. Click here for facts sheets for support persons – |
