Diabetes Assistance Programs

Diabetes assistance programs are available to anyone seeking additional information about the disease, an abnormal condition marked by insulin deficiency and excess sugar in the urine and blood. Information is available online or by calling your local health department or hospital. Such programs typically work with patients to define diabetes, discuss treatments, describe complications and concerns to watch for and monitor, and set up a diet and exercise plan to help control the disease.

Online Diabetes Assistance Programs

• Diabetes information is plentiful online.

  A traditional Internet search will bring up thousands of potential websites containing information pertaining to diabetes. However, for accurate information, make sure you log on to a website containing appropriately and officially cited medical data from a source highly regarded in the field. Sites such as jdrf.org and diabetes.org have discussion boards and contact information to help you answer any diabetes-related question.

Local/State Programs

• In response to diabetes as a growing epidemic, diabetes assistance programs have popped up in states and cities nationwide. Most counties have a health department, which has publications pertaining to diabetes and offers resources to help diabetics and their families better understand the disease. There are also support groups, usually sponsored by a local hospital, that provide information and support to people with diabetes. Contact your local health department or hospital for information on diabetes assistance programs in your area.

Assistance Hotlines

• People with diabetes often juggle several types of medication, along with diet and exercise, to keep their blood glucose levels under control. Usually, a combination of glucose monitoring and pills or insulin are used to maintain a normal (80 to 120 mg/dl) blood sugar range. Most makers of insulin pumps, blood testing kits, diabetic pills and other medications have 24-hour a day emergency contact information to help diabetics in need of assistance. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation can be reached at 800-736-0003; Eli Lilly's Lilly Cares program, 800-545-6962; GlaxoSmithKline's Bridges to Access hotline, 866-728-4368; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. Patient Assistance, 800-277-2254; Novo Nordisk Diabetes Patient Assistance, 866-310-7549; and Medtronic Insulin Pump help, 800-826-2099, are just a few of the resources to help answer almost any question pertaining to diabetes and its treatments.