Have a diabetic loved one? Here’s why you should consider home care for diabetic adults

While diabetes can be well-managed with medications and lifestyle changes, it can cause serious health dangers when left untreated. Those with diabetes, especially elderly individuals, may need a little help managing these day-to-day responsibilities.

Home care is one of the best options for helping older diabetic adults manage their condition. If you’re considering hiring a home care service for your loved one, here’s what you need to know:

What is home care?

“Home care” refers to a range of health and personal care services provided to people, typically elderly individuals, in the comfort of their own home. However, people receiving home care services aren’t always elderly. They might have limited mobility, cognitive impairments, or other health issues that necessitate extra assistance at home.

Home care services can include:

• Meal preparation and cooking.
• Medication reminders.
• Driving and taking patients to their appointments.
• Grocery shopping.
• Taking care of household chores.
• Assistance with bathing and personal care.
• And much more.

These services don't always include skilled medical care. But, home care teams can drive patients to their medical appointments or the emergency department when treatment is needed.

How home care services can help adults with diabetes

Properly managing diabetes is essential for maintaining a high quality of life, but many older adults find this to be overwhelming. Home care services can ease this burden for older diabetic people and their families in the following ways:

Preparing healthy meals

Maintaining a healthy diet is key for managing diabetes. Home care professionals can handle daily grocery shopping, and they can prepare healthy meals customized to your loved one’s needs. They can also educate your family member about which foods to eat and avoid.

Medication reminders

Home care professionals will ensure your family member takes their medications daily in accordance with instructions from their doctor.

Providing personal care services

People with diabetes sometimes develop ulcers on the legs and feet. These chronic wounds require daily cleaning to prevent infection. With the help of a home care team, diabetic adults can get the personal care they need, such as bathing assistance, in the comfort and privacy of their own home.

Identifying diabetic emergencies

Diabetic emergencies can occur even if the condition seems to be well-managed. Your diabetic loved one’s home care team will always be on the lookout for symptoms of medical emergencies, such as:

• Confusion.
• Extreme thirst.
• Passing out.
• Trouble breathing.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Once it’s determined that medical attention is needed, a home care professional can take your family member to the emergency room as soon as possible.

When is it time to contact a home care agency?

You should think about hiring a home care agency for your diabetic family member if:

• They have trouble managing their medication regimen.
• They don’t know how to cook healthy meals, or they have trouble sticking to a diet plan.
• They can’t properly bathe or keep their ulcers clean due to mobility issues.

At Miami Valley Homecare in Dayton, OH, our team has years of experience helping diabetic adults live healthy, independent lives. Contact us today to learn more about our home care services.