Healthcare professionals and carers can help you manage diabetes as well as general day-to-day tasks. You may need different kinds of help as your circumstances change.
As you get older, you may start seeing different types of health professionals to take care of specific concerns. For example, a geriatrician, who is a specialist doctor for people over 65, or a dietitian, to help you work out an eating plan if you need one.
Accessing support
Types of support
Connecting with peers
Information and resources
If you are 65 and older, or if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are 50 and older, you may be eligible for Australian Government-funded services.
Your starting point in finding out what service may work for you is My Aged Care. You may be eligible for help at home, short-term help and care in a residential aged care facility.
To find out more visit the My Aged Care website or call them on 1800 200 422.
Help at home
You may need a little extra help with looking after yourself at home, for example, getting dressed, bathing, transport, or help with meals and cooking. Sometimes, you may just want someone to do activities with.
You can also get support to make modifications to your home, such as putting in handrails or ramps, or get equipment such as a walking frame or shower chair.
Short-term help
Sometimes you may need support only for a short period of time. Short-term help might be useful when you have had a setback and want to regain your independence, when you are recovering from an illness or a hospital stay, or if your usual carer needs a break.
Residential aged care
Care in a residential aged care facility is when you would be better with ongoing help with day-to-day tasks, or you need health care 24 hours a day.
Peer support is connecting with other people like you who are living with diabetes. Sharing experiences, swapping stories and encouraging each other can be a great source of support as you move through life with diabetes.
There are many forms of peer support, from a casual online conversation to a structured face-to-face group.
Explore our peer support portal to learn more about the range of peer support options available to you.
You and your healthcare team as you age
Understand who can help you with health issues as you get older so you can maintain your wellbeing.
Diabetes-related complications
Information on types of diabetes-related complications and how to reduce your risk.
Get eye check reminders
Register for KeepSight, the eye check reminder program for people with diabetes.
Diabetes Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. We recognise their connection to land, waters, winds and culture. We pay the upmost respect to them, their cultures and to their Elders, past and present. We are committed to improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by diabetes and those at risk.
