If you are providing in-home care in Anchorage for a senior loved one with diabetes, diligently following a treatment plan can be a constant and important effort. Everything you do to help him or her control this disease can limit the likelihood of serious related complications. Here are 4 ways you can help alleviate your loved one’s diabetes symptoms while bolstering his or her overall health.
1. Encourage Your Loved One to Stop Smoking
Smokers who have been diagnosed with diabetes should consider trying a smoking cessation plan. Smoking cigarettes can further reduce circulation in the hands and feet and increase your loved one’s likelihood of developing problems like ulcers and infection. Smoking also increases the risk of heart disease and hypertension.
2. Take Steps to Reduce Bad Cholesterol and Lower Blood Pressure
While normalizing blood sugar levels is a constant concern for diabetics, avoiding high cholesterol should be a top priority as well. Elevated cholesterol levels when living with diabetes can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening events. It is additionally important to note that high blood pressure, much like diabetes, can cause serious damage to the blood vessels. To combat this, you should encourage your loved one to eat a low-sodium, low-fat diet and exercise at least three to four times per week.
3. Limit the Effects of Peripheral Neuropathy with Proper Foot Care
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is characterized by numbness in the extremities and frequent nerve pain. Proper foot care is essential for avoiding complications like skin infections that could lead to amputation. Your loved one’s feet should be inspected regularly for small cuts, ulcers, and abrasions. With increased numbness in these areas, it’s the problems he or she does not feel that may cause the greatest harm.
4. Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Make sure to have your loved one’s eyes examined at least three times per year and address any changes in his or her vision right away. These visits are vital for identifying glaucoma, retinal damage, and cataracts early on. When living with diabetes, maintaining a balanced diet to keep blood pressure under control is especially important for preserving eye health.
If your loved one has diabetes, implementing these methods with the assistance of a professional caregiver can be helpful. For part-time and 24-hour care Anchorage families trust, turn to Home Care Assistance. Our caregivers are available 24/7 to help your loved one with a wide array of tasks, including exercise assistance, healthy meal prep, and transportation to medical appointments. For more information on our senior care services, please call one of our qualified Care Managers at (907) 770-0907 to schedule a free consultation.