How Does Home Care Assistance Support Seniors Living with Diabetes?

Life with diabetes can be challenging for people of all ages, but especially seniors. Age-related changes make diabetes management even more complicated. Living alone may not be a problem for seniors before they receive a diagnosis of diabetes, but having help makes the situation easier to manage. Home care assistance can offer all sorts of help to seniors as they deal with the changes that diabetes brings to their daily lives.

Medication Reminders

For seniors who take medication to keep blood sugar in check or to control other health issues, taking that medication properly and according to the correct schedule reduces the risk of complications. Elder care providers can offer seniors medication reminders, also ensuring that seniors take medication with food if necessary.

Blood Sugar Checks

Checking blood sugar levels at regular intervals helps to make sure that glucose levels aren’t too high or too low. Regular checks can also help seniors to see what they’re doing that is helping their diabetes stay under control and what habits might not be as helpful. Keeping track of the readings is helpful information for medical providers to have, too.

Watching for Potential Issues

Complications are a huge potential issue for seniors with diabetes. Wounds that heal slowly, dry skin, and lack of feeling in the extremities are all signs that seniors might be experiencing difficulty because of nerve damage or out-of-control blood sugar levels. Responding quickly to these possible issues can limit some of the damage.

Healthy Meal Planning

Nutrition and a balanced diet are key pieces in the battle against diabetes. Abruptly adopting new eating habits isn’t always easy for seniors to do, though. Home care assistance can help them to plan meals that fit within their dietary recommendations. If seniors have physical limitations or cognitive challenges that make cooking difficult, home care can help with that, too.

Encouraging Regular Movement

Moving a little more often helps to regulate blood sugar levels, reduces anxiety and stress, and improves overall well-being. Seniors may not enjoy exercise or they may have a tough time remembering when it’s time to exercise. Elder care providers can provide companionship during exercise, making it a more palatable activity for seniors to enjoy.

Social Support

No one likes dealing with a chronic health issue and feeling all alone. Home care assistance offers social support and companionship that allows seniors to cope with the emotions that they face. Seniors also avoid the hazards that can come with isolation.

Prioritizing Safety

Seniors with diabetes have an increased risk of experiencing accidents or falls. That’s because they can have issues with balance, poor vision, or even low blood sugar. Home care assistance works with seniors to make their living space as safe as possible so seniors can focus on living their best lives.

Home care assistance can be there for seniors with diabetes in a variety of ways. The care they offer is personalized to meet each senior’s unique situation. As needs change, care can also adapt to keep up with those needs and make sure that aging adults get the compassionate assistance they need.

Reference
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/diabetes/diabetes-older-people

If you or an aging loved one are considering companion care at home in Salina, KS, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas today. Call 620-603-0685.

Touching Hearts at Home Central Kansas is a Trusted Home Care Agency Barton, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Larned, Lyons, Marion, McPherson, Newton, Pawnee, Rice, Reno, Salina, Sedgwick, Stafford, and the surrounding areas.