3.3 Explain the importance of supporting individuals to make informed decisions

This guide will help you answer 3.3 Explain the importance of supporting individuals to make informed decisions.

Helping individuals with diabetes to make informed decisions is about giving them the right information, choices, and confidence to manage their own health. Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects blood sugar levels, and it requires ongoing management. Without the right knowledge and support, daily decisions about diet, medication, and lifestyle can become confusing or unsafe. Your role is to support people so they can choose what is right for them based on accurate, clear, and relevant information.

Why Informed Decisions Matter for Diabetes

Every person with diabetes needs to make decisions every day. These affect their health, relationships, and quality of life. Informed decisions are important because they:

• Reduce the risk of complications
• Support independence and self-control
• Improve confidence in managing the condition
• Encourage safe and consistent care choices
• Build trust between the individual and care professionals

For a person with diabetes, choices might include when and how to monitor blood sugar, which foods to eat, and how to recognise signs of high or low blood glucose levels. Without the correct information, these choices could be harmful.

Promoting Independence and Autonomy

Autonomy means the person has control over their own life. People with diabetes should feel they are in charge of decisions about their treatment and lifestyle. Supporting autonomy helps them to:

• Feel respected and valued
• Stay motivated to stick to their care plan
• Gain confidence in managing their health

If decisions are always made for them, they may feel powerless or dependent on others. This can lower motivation and harm their wellbeing.

Building Knowledge and Understanding

Someone cannot make a good choice without clear information. Workers in health and social care must explain the facts about diabetes in a way the person understands. This includes:

• What diabetes is and how it affects the body
• The role of insulin and blood sugar
• The purpose of medication and monitoring
• Food and lifestyle impacts
• Signs, symptoms, and treatment for hypo (low blood sugar) and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)

Giving information in plain and simple language increases the chance the person will retain it. Use written materials, visual aids, or repeat explanations over time if needed.

Supporting Lifestyle Choices

Living with diabetes means making constant lifestyle choices. These include:

• Diet: Balancing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• Physical activity: Choosing suitable exercises and knowing how activity affects blood sugar
• Alcohol intake: Understanding safe limits and risks
• Work and leisure: Planning for regular meals and medication within daily routines

Providing balanced information helps individuals to choose options that will support their health without taking away enjoyment from life.

Encouraging Self-Management

Self-management means the person takes responsibility for their own care, with guidance when needed. To manage their diabetes, they may need help with:

• Blood glucose monitoring
• Recording results and spotting patterns
• Adjusting food and exercise plans
• Knowing when to seek help from a healthcare professional

Self-management is easier when choices are based on clear facts. This prevents mistakes that could cause serious health problems.

Reducing Risks and Preventing Complications

Poorly managed diabetes can lead to long-term complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease, vision problems, and heart disease. Short-term risks include serious episodes of low or high blood sugar which can be life-threatening.

By supporting good decision-making, you help reduce these risks. For example:

• Teaching how to recognise early signs of hypo or hyperglycaemia
• Knowing when to take action or seek help
• Understanding how illness or stress affects diabetes
• Planning ahead for travel, holidays, or social events

When a person is well-informed, they are more likely to act early and prevent problems.

Confidentiality and Trust

People are more likely to ask questions and share concerns if they trust you to keep their information safe. Confidentiality means keeping personal and health details private, sharing them only with those who need to know for care to be given.

By respecting privacy, you create an environment where the individual feels safe to speak openly. This helps you give more accurate, personalised advice.

Providing Choice and Respect

Supporting informed decisions is not about telling someone what they must do. It is about giving them options and respecting their right to choose, even if they decide something different from your recommendation.

For example, a person might choose to eat foods that are higher in sugar at a celebration. Rather than forbid it, you can talk about how they can adapt their medication or activity to balance it out. This way they keep control and learn about managing real-life situations.

Using Communication Skills

How you give information matters. Think about:

• Speaking in clear, everyday language
• Avoiding medical jargon
• Checking understanding by asking them to repeat key points in their own words
• Using visual aids like diagrams or apps
• Being patient and allowing time for questions

Good communication means the person is more likely to absorb and remember the information.

Considering Cultural and Personal Factors

Personal beliefs, culture, and religion can influence decisions about health. For example, fasting during certain religious periods can affect blood sugar control. Dietary preferences based on culture or ethics will also affect meal planning.

Support must be sensitive to these factors. This means:

• Asking about preferences and restrictions
• Offering alternative meal suggestions that fit within cultural guidelines
• Working with the person to find choices that suit both health needs and personal values

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing

Living with diabetes can be stressful. Worry about blood sugar levels, future health, and lifestyle limitations can cause anxiety or low mood. People may feel overwhelmed by constant self-care demands.

By supporting informed decision-making, you can help them feel more in control. This can improve emotional wellbeing and reduce feelings of isolation. Positive emotional health often leads to better self-care.

Working with Other Professionals

Sometimes a person will need more specialist advice than you can give. You may need to link them with:

• Diabetes specialist nurses
• Dietitians or nutritionists
• Physiotherapists or activity coaches
• Counsellors or mental health specialists

Your role is to explain why the referral is beneficial and encourage them to take it up. This ensures they get the right knowledge from the right source.

Supporting Decision-Making for Different Groups

Some people may find decision-making harder. For example:

• People with learning disabilities
• People with reduced vision or hearing
• People with cognitive decline or dementia
• Those with limited English language skills

Support can include:

• Simplifying information into easy-read formats
• Using interpreters or translators
• Providing visual tools like symbols or colour coding
• Allowing extra time for discussion and questions

The goal is to give them the same chance to make an informed choice as anyone else.

Encouraging Engagement in Care Planning

A care plan works best when the person has been fully involved in creating it. They are more likely to follow a plan they helped to design. This might include:

• Setting goals together
• Talking about what has worked or not worked before
• Agreeing on realistic changes they are ready to make
• Reviewing progress regularly

When the person feels involved, they take more ownership of their health.

Giving Information from Trusted Sources

Misinformation about diabetes is common. People may read or hear poor advice from friends, family, or unverified online sites. Support means guiding them towards accurate, reliable information.

This can include:

• NHS website resources
• Leaflets from recognised diabetes charities
• Information from their GP or diabetes nurse
• Workshops or support groups run by reputable organisations

Checking the source before sharing is important to protect the person from harmful advice.

Handling Disagreements

Sometimes a person may make a choice you believe is unsafe. It is important to respect their right to make it while trying to explain the possible effects. This may require:

• Talking through the consequences clearly
• Offering alternative options
• Agreeing on small steps to reduce risk

Forcing a decision can damage trust. Supporting informed choice means they make the final decision.

Monitoring and Reviewing Decisions

Decisions about diabetes care are not one-time events. The person’s health, lifestyle, or needs may change. Support means:

• Revisiting information regularly
• Checking if the person wants to adjust their plan
• Keeping discussions open and ongoing

This continued support helps maintain safety and quality of life.

Final Thoughts

Supporting people with diabetes to make informed decisions is about more than just sharing facts. It is about empowering them to take an active role in their health. This requires respect, patience, good communication, and sensitivity to personal needs. Each person will make different choices based on their own values, beliefs, and circumstances.

By giving the right information in the right way, you help someone gain the confidence and skills to live well with diabetes. This improves their health, boosts their independence, and supports a better quality of life. Your role is a key part of that process.