PROBLEM SOLVING How do I deal with problems such as illness, travel and hypoglycemia? A person with diabetes must keep their problem-solving skills sharp because on any given day, a high or low blood glucose episode or a sick day will require them to make rapid, informed decisions about food, activity and medications. This skill is continuously put to use because even after decades of living with the disease, stability is never fully attained: the disease is progressive, chronic complications emerge, life situations change and the patient is aging. 

Collaboratively, diabetes educators and patients address barriers, such as physical, emotional, cognitive, and financial obstacles and develop coping strategies.

1. Problem Solving
Washington Association of Diabetes Educators
www.DiabetesAnswers.net or www.WADEpage.org

2. 4 steps to Problem Solving Using the
IDEAL Method
I Identify the problem
D Define the problem
E Examine possible solution
A Act on the best solutions
L Learn form the results

3. Identify the problem
What is the problem?
Tell yourself exactly what the problem is.

4. Define the problem
Be clear and Specific

5. .
Examine possible solutions
“brainstorming”
Think of at least 2 or 3 possible strategies that
you might use to solve the problem. No matter
how silly it may sound.

6. Act
Examine your list of possible strategies, and
choose the one that seems best try it out

7. Learn
Learn form the results

8. Remember the boy scout motto
…Be Prepared ….
Sick day kit
Emergency
preparedness kit
Travel kit

9. Sick Day Kit
see: www.DiabetesAnswers.net or www.WADEpage.org

10. Travel
Kit
see: www.DiabetesAnswers.net or www.WADEpage.org

11. Emergency
Preparedness
Kit
see: www.DiabetesAnswers.net or www.WADEpage.org

12. Diabetes - Travel Tips

13. Sick Days

14. Hypoglycemia and
Hyperglycemia

15. Find out more
Washington Association of Diabetes Educators
Print handouts such as what you need in a first
aid , disaster, sick day, and travel kit
www.DiabetesAnswers.net or www.WADEpage.org