If your mom or dad has diabetes, learning how to manage it is very important. Seniors who can’t get their diabetes regulated have a higher risk of serious side effects like blindness, foot ulcers and complications, and other diabetes-related illnesses. But seniors often struggle to manage diabetes. It can be tough for seniors to adapt to a totally new healthy low-carb diet, or try to get more movement into their day. Senior home care can help. Senior home care provides the day-to-day support your mom or dad needs to make healthy lifestyle changes and learn more about diabetes.
If your senior parent has been diagnosed with diabetes senior home care can help them manage it by:
Assist With Meal Planning and Preparation
Proper nutrition is key to managing diabetes. A senior home care provider can help by planning and preparing healthy, balanced meals for your mom or dad and help them learn how food impacts their diabetes.
A caregiver can make sure meals for your mom or dad include the right balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats, all while avoiding foods that can spike blood sugar levels.
Monitor Blood Sugar Levels
For people with diabetes, keeping track of blood sugar levels is essential. A home care provider can remind your parent to check their blood sugar regularly and help them log the results.
This makes it easier for your parent to stay on top of their condition. The caregiver can also help your parent understand what their numbers mean and when they need to take action, like eating a small snack or adjusting their medication.
Manage Medication
Seniors with diabetes often take medication to help control their blood sugar. A senior home care provider can assist your parent with keeping track of their medications and ensuring they take them on time.
Whether it’s insulin or oral medication, the caregiver can help organize pill bottles, refill prescriptions, and set up reminders so nothing is missed and so that your senior mom or dad doesn’t take the wrong dose of medication.
Help With Grocery Shopping
A senior home care provider can help your mom or dad shop for healthy groceries and experiment with new foods and new recipes that can help manage their diabetes. If your mom or dad isn’t able to easily leave the house a care provider can pick up a grocery order or go shopping for your mom or dad.
Getting To Medical Appointments
While your mom or dad is learning how to manage their diabetes, they will probably have a lot of medical appointments. They may need help learning to check their blood sugar, or the doctor may want to chart their blood sugar levels.
A senior home care provider can make sure your mom or dad doesn’t miss their important medical appointments by taking them to their appointments.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in Minneapolis, MN and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
