As people get older, managing daily tasks becomes challenging. But for people having diabetes, it becomes more difficult and hectic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28.5 million adults have diabetes in the United States. With such a vast population falling into this disease, we cannot overlook diabetic senior care.

Elderly people with diabetes may find it challenging to manage their condition as they age. Moreover, they find it difficult to prepare meals, stay active, and check their blood sugar levels. In this situation, you should consider home care services for seniors, as it can be easy for you to feel overwhelmed and overburdened because uncontrolled diabetes can result in significant complications.

For this reason, in this article we are taking a look at how to care for the elderly at home when they are suffering from this complex medical condition, and how you can add finesse to your caring skills in ways that will keep them safe and comfortable. Let’s discuss below some of the benefits of senior care for people with diabetes. 

1.Keep Track of Blood Sugar Levels

The main difficulty that senior diabetic patients encounter is tracking their blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels often to maintain their health. This will also help them ward off conditions like kidney and eyesight damage. 

When there are coupled underlying conditions like failing eyesight or Alzheimer's, opting for senior care can help you keep track of your variations in blood sugar levels. 

The senior care workers constantly check people with diabetes to ensure their glucose levels are in control. They maintain records of their blood sugar levels to prevent medical emergencies and change the dosage of their medications.

2. Make a Schedule for a Healthy Diet

A good home-cooked meal is one of the best things that can accelerate the healing process. Your older family members can organize a food plan with homecare professionals so you won't have to worry about their diet.  

They can prepare meals for elderly folks who are too frail or old to prepare themselves and create a weekly nutrition plan for them.

A professional senior care provider will maintain a nutritious diet for people dealing with diabetes. To counter the effects of high sugar levels, paying attention to your diet is as beneficial as taking your meds. A healthcare expert can guide you on what to eat and what to avoid in your diet. They can also schedule the right exercise for your body type.

3. Manage the Medication Schedule

Utilizing the extra glucose in your body can avoid spikes in your blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications mainly aim at increasing your insulin levels to control blood sugar. But remember that these medications must be taken at fixed time intervals. Skipping your medicines or taking them at the wrong time intervals can have detrimental effects, including impaired brain function and disorientation. 

An elderly person facing sudden dizziness due to missed medicines might struggle to call for help. Hence, proactively assigning a senior care provider provides diabetic patients with peace of mind. The carer helps with medication monitoring, recognizes signs of low or high blood sugar, and can call primary care doctors near you for assistance in an emergency.

4. Help with Eyesight and Mobility

Diabetes has an impact on the eyes and nerve endings. Many seniors with diabetes face difficulty walking due to weakened nerves in their feet and vision problems due to eye impairment. 

This can impair their daily routines and increase their risk of falling. In this situation, senior care can aid their clients in getting around and with routine tasks that may be difficult for them, such as reading mail, cooking meals, or transportation.

5. Aid in Preventing Loneliness

According to a study by NIH, loneliness in older persons can lead to health concerns like

• Cognitive decline, 

• Heart disease, 

• Depression, and 

• Weakened immune system.

Even if you don't have a condition like diabetes, staying at home alone could be depressing. Older individuals are more likely to feel alone and abandoned if they have no one to talk to or care for them. Having a caretaker to stay with them and ensuring they have companionship can enhance their mental health.

Having a home care provider with your loved one allows them to talk to someone, exercise under supervision, play games, watch TV, and do other enjoyable activities in their home. This can keep people from feeling lonely, benefiting their physical and emotional health.

6. Manage Physical Activity Schedule

Exercise on a daily basis is one approach to keeping blood sugar levels balanced. It also reduces the risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular disorders, which diabetes seniors are more susceptible to. 

Your senior can go for walks or do mild exercise at home with the help of a regular carer. Increased physical activity will deplete blood sugar, allowing for more energy.

Some Tips for Managing Diabetes

As diabetes is dangerous and can endanger your life, it is best to manage diabetes at any cost. Here are some tips for you!

1. According to the NIH, stress might cause your blood sugar to rise. Find relaxing hobbies that you enjoy. Try going for a walk, listening to music, or gardening, whatever helps you unwind.

2. Diabetes increases your risk of gum disease. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), this is due to diabetics' decreased capacity to fight illness-causing bacteria in the mouth.

3. Continuous glucose monitoring is essential for managing diabetes.

4. Drinking alcohol might worsen diabetes. When you drink, your liver works hard to process the alcohol, which can prevent it from performing another crucial function: releasing stored sugar in reaction to low levels. Furthermore, alcohol can affect your capacity to reason and make sound treatment decisions. 

Conclusion

Diabetes patients who live alone require special care and attention. Having a senior care provider take after your elderly at home can be extremely beneficial and potentially life-saving.

Trust us; this can be one of the best decisions of your life. 

FAQs

1. What foods should diabetes patients avoid?

Diabetes patients should avoid food items high in sugar, white bread, rice, pasta, etc, to avoid increased blood sugar levels.

2. Is eating bananas good for diabetes?

Yes, bananas are a safe and healthy fruit that diabetics can eat in moderation as part of a well-balanced, personalized diet.