When the time comes for your child to leave home, it’s natural to worry that they won’t look after themselves properly or feel a sense of loss because they’re not around for you to ‘look after’ any more. But they still might need your help and support – even if they don’t always ask for it.
You can help prepare your son or daughter for life in the big bad world in the following ways:
- plan ahead and make sure that by the time they leave home, they’re confident in looking after their own diabetes
- remind them that it’s important to tell people they’ll be around a lot (eg new flatmates) about their diabetes and how to help if needed
- make sure your child knows how to cook the ‘basics’ to keep healthy
- remind them that just because they have diabetes it doesn’t mean they have to buy special or different food
- make sure they know the contact details of their diabetes team in case of any problems.
Students and diabetes
There are no specific benefits for students with diabetes, but Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are available. This doesn’t mean that people with diabetes regard themselves as disabled, it just means they are covered under the Equality Act (2010). A DSA may be able to provide extra money to pay for items like a fridge to store insulin while at university. Not all students with diabetes get a DSA, but there’s no harm in your son or daughter speaking to the student welfare officer at their uni or the local education authority. Remember, too, that everyone with Type 1 – and Type 2 if treated with diabetes medication – is exempt from prescription charges for their diabetes equipment;