At least one in four adults aged 65 and older have been diagnosed with either Type I or Type II diabetes—and if you have a loved one with diabetes, you know how challenging it can be to help manage the condition. What makes diabetes so tricky is that the body’s inability to manage blood sugar correctly can complicate and increase the risks of other health problems including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, blindness, kidney disease and dangerous problems that affect the feet and other extremities.

At Home Personal Care has a diabetes care team for seniors that can help you and your loved one manage the condition, boosting quality of life and slowing the damage diabetes can cause. Our team is ready to help with the following:

1. Regular Blood Sugar Monitoring and Documentation

Monitoring blood sugar levels is an absolute necessity for keeping a handle on diabetes, but it is not a pleasant process and it can be overwhelming. Our diabetes care team helps seniors stay on a regular daily blood sugar testing schedule. We can also help manage the equipment, safe dispose of sharps, and help document test results to watch for patterns in blood sugar levels that can help your loved one understand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to managing diabetes.

In addition to the technicalities of taking the tests and documenting the results, we are there to provide reassurance and comfort through the unpleasantness while supporting good lifestyle choices that can improve the quality of life.

2. Help with Diabetes Emergency Plans

Together with family members, the doctor, your loved one and our diabetes care team, we can create a diabetes emergency plan so everyone knows what to do, just in case something happens. We can also be there when family is unable to be there; you will have peace of mind knowing that your loved one will have the support he or she needs during a diabetes emergency.

3. Diabetes Medication Reminders & Scheduling

Taking the doctor’s prescribed diabetes medications regularly, and at the correct times can go a long way to helping your loved one manage the condition proactively to prevent emergencies and other health problems. But sometimes seniors struggle to remember the schedule, or whether or not they have already taken their medications. This can cause major problems. We can provide assistance with schedule reminders and memory helps to ensure that your loved one takes exactly the right medications at the right doses at the correct times for the best outcome.

4. Nutritional Support for Diabetes

Following the doctor’s or nutritionist’s recommended meal plan can significantly improve a senior’s quality of life with diabetes. Fortunately, in this day and age there are so many great recipes and ways to prepare diabetes-friendly foods that taste good! Our diabetes care team can assist with meal planning, shopping and preparation. Generally speaking, the following foods are great for helping stabilize blood sugar levels and for overall good health:

• Steamed, roasted and cooked vegetables
• Leafy greens
• Melons and berries for natural, even sweetness
• Whole-grain, high-fiber foods
• Some healthy fats (from extra virgin olive oil, avocados and fatty fish)
• Lean protein (lean meats, low-fat Greek yogurt, nuts, eggs and cheeses)

Overall, it is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations for your loved one’s individual nutritional needs—we can help with variety and good taste!

5. Keeping Regular Doctor’s Appointments

Our diabetes care team can help your loved one schedule and keep these important appointments and act as a support to help him or her understand and implement the doctor’s recommendations, understand test results and new dietary or medication directions.

6. Foot Care for Diabetes

Proper foot care is essential for those with diabetes. We can help manage any current foot problems and help your loved one prevent others by assisting with proper foot care and encouraging them to wear the recommended socks and shoes for the best support and warmth during cold weather.

Diabetes can be hard to manage without the right support—At Home Personal Care’s diabetes care for seniors provides that support and makes life better for seniors and their families as they manage diabetes.

Fill out our contact us form or call us today at (703) 330-2323 to talk with our diabetes care experts.