It’s National Diabetes Month and a good time to discuss your dad’s care needs. His recent diagnosis has left your family uncertain about what to address first. There’s a lot he has to learn, and your family wants to support him. Have you considered working with a home health care agency for diabetes care and education?
More than 30 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes. Many more have it but haven’t seen a doctor. One in four older adults has the disease, and nine out of ten of them have type 2 diabetes. It’s important to realize that it’s not surprising your dad has the disease.
Home Health Care Diabetes Education and Support Services
It’s important that your dad learns how to take care of himself. As his family caregiver, you need to know too. With home health care, a nurse comes to your dad’s home and supports him through the steps he needs to be taking each day. He’ll learn how to check his blood sugar levels, use insulin if needed, or take prescription medications to manage his health.
He’ll learn the importance of caring for himself. He has an increased risk of kidney and heart disease, vision loss, and nerve disease. With a trained diabetes professional helping him out, he’ll learn how to take care of his feet to prevent infections that can lead to amputation.
Your dad’s habits need to change. Lifestyle changes like diet are one of the most important steps. He needs to learn how to prepare meals and snacks that avoid sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. High-fiber foods are essential. If you’re the one cooking his meals, you may need to learn how to cook meals that meet his needs.
He also needs to boost his activity. If he’s used to sitting and watching TV, he needs to get motivated and go for a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes every day. He could go swimming, ride a bike, or take up hiking. It may help him to work with a physical therapist who can help him build muscle, stamina, and balance.
Take the Time to Learn With Him
It’s beneficial to learn as much as you can about your dad’s diabetic care needs. It helps him, but it also helps you. A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are risk factors, as is a family history. Your dad has diabetes, and that increases your risk. Learning all that you can now helps you in the future.
Call a home health care advisor and ask about patient education and diabetes management. Your dad and close family members can learn more about what he needs to do to take care of himself, and you’ll learn how to best support him as a family caregiver.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Health Care in West Linn, OR please contact the caring staff at Home Matters Caregiving today. 503-352-5634
Sources:
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
