Caring for Someone with Diabetes

Managing diabetes means creating and maintaining a system of routines to help address the problem from all angles. This means more than simply taking regular blood sugar tests and taking insulin as necessary; this means a complete change in lifestyle and long-established habits. Doing these things is already difficult if you are the diabetic, and can be even more so if you are taking care of a senior with diabetes. Fortunately, there are simple, concrete steps that you can take to improve the quality of care for your loved one.

Consulting the Doctor 

Your first priority should be convincing the senior to see a doctor for an examination and professional advice about managing the condition. Seniors tend to be more susceptible to the medical conditions that can arise from diabetes because their bodies are more fragile. Regular examinations can help catch common issues before they become problems, while a doctor can help prescribe a course of action to correct or at least mitigate them. 

General Recommendations

Here are some general guidelines if you are caring for a senior with diabetes: 

• Make sure that you, your loved one, and his or her caretakers are aware of the symptoms of high blood sugar and know how to address the issue. They don't need to be experts on the topic, but they should be able to take the steps needed if the senior cannot do it alone.
• Don't let the senior make lifestyle changes alone. If your loved one needs to start exercising and make diet changes, exercise and change your diet with him or her. Not only will this increase his or her chances of successful change, it'll also help you live a healthier lifestyle and spend more time with the senior member of your family.
• Encourage the elder in your family to get tested regularly for the complications that can arise from diabetes. Such complications range from high blood pressure to mental health problems, such as depression.

Key Takeaways: 

• Diabetes is best managed using a combination of monitoring and changes in lifestyle.
• Regular examinations make sure that seniors get the necessary help and their caretakers understand how best to take care of them.