GROWING UP AND MOVING ON: TRANSITIONING TO ADULT CARE Jill Weissberg-Benchell, Ph.D., CDE

KEY TASKS FOR EMERGING ADULTS (18-30) n Mapping your course through life n Searching for your place in society n Searching for a sense of commitment/attachment to others – friends and loves. n Balancing competing demands: Education, relationships, career buildingEducation, relationships, career building

KEY TASKS FOR EMERGING ADULTS n Regular Tasks: Finding/keeping a place to liveFinding/keeping a place to live Paying bills/ Balancing check bookPaying bills/ Balancing check book Managing creditManaging credit Relationships that may be foreverRelationships that may be forever Choosing a careerChoosing a career n Now with less help/structure/support than before. n Now must weave daily regimen into all of the regular stuff no matter how demanding.

KEY TASKS FOR EMERGING ADULTS n Arnetts survey year olds. Hallmarks of being an adult: Accept responsibility for yourselfAccept responsibility for yourself Make independent decisionsMake independent decisions Become financially independentBecome financially independent Independently form beliefs and valuesIndependently form beliefs and values n VERY few believed they achieved these goals.

EARLY PHASE OF EMERGING ADULTS (18-22) n 2000 U.S. Census: 56% of males, 43% of females in this age group live at home with parents.56% of males, 43% of females in this age group live at home with parents. 4% live alone4% live alone

TAKING CARE OF YOUR OWN PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS n Self- Care is NOT EASY n Lapses are NOT a sign of failure Life can get in the wayLife can get in the way Lapses going on strike theres no point to trying.Lapses going on strike theres no point to trying. n Set goals that are achievable. n Everyone works/learns at a different pace.

PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS Relationships with Peers n Who To Tell? Legal/honest for insurance/drivers license applicationsLegal/honest for insurance/drivers license applications Roommate? Boss? Co-worker? Person youre dating?Roommate? Boss? Co-worker? Person youre dating? n What To Tell? Clarify misperceptionsClarify misperceptions How to treat lowsHow to treat lows n When To Tell? What is your own sense of comfort/timing?What is your own sense of comfort/timing?

PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS Relationships with Parents n Call your mom –she worries! Keep your parents up to date about your healthKeep your parents up to date about your health Talk about experiences with new providersTalk about experiences with new providers

PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS Relationships with Parents n Key Tasks for Parents: They are learning how to tolerate separation yet still remain connected to you.They are learning how to tolerate separation yet still remain connected to you. They are learning how to be supportive without being intrusive.They are learning how to be supportive without being intrusive. They may be struggling with their role of still helping you out financially.They may be struggling with their role of still helping you out financially.

PAST EXPERIENCES WITH HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS n Relationship Building Experiences? –Unrealistic expectations for self-care behavior –Unrealistic expectations for glucose control –Punitive/judgmental clinic visits –Feeling burned-out/a chronic failure

PAST EXPERIENCES ADVOCATING FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH n Can You Be an Effective Patient? Finding a team that understands YOU make the day to day decisions.Finding a team that understands YOU make the day to day decisions. Finding a team thats up to date on research & technology.Finding a team thats up to date on research & technology. Finding a team that knows theyre your coach or guide. They dont dictate what you should or must do.Finding a team that knows theyre your coach or guide. They dont dictate what you should or must do. Remembering to ask for the things you needRemembering to ask for the things you need –Prescriptions –Letters Feeling comfortable talking about the annoyances so you have others to help you problem-solve.Feeling comfortable talking about the annoyances so you have others to help you problem-solve. Less time in clinics in adult programs time in clinics in adult programs