Diabetes Archives - Golden Heart Summerlin

Talk to Her Doctor

Ask your mom if you can go to a doctor’s appointment with her. While you’re there, ask questions you have and any you’ve heard your mom ask at home but fails to ask. This may include what equipment she needs to manage her health, such as devices that test her blood sugar levels and track them in an app.

Smart insulin pens are gaining popularity. See if it’s an option for your mom if she needs insulin as part of her treatment plan. You should ask about glucose meters and which is going to be the easiest for your mom to use.

Clean Out Her Kitchen

Your mom needs to stop eating foods that do not benefit her health. Go through her kitchen and compost or donate items like white rice, all-purpose flour, sugar, corn syrup, sweetened drinks and sauces, and processed snack foods.

Stock your mom’s cupboards with whole grains like oats, millet and spelt. Buy brown rice and quinoa, too. Fill up her refrigerator with plenty of non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens and cruciferous veggies.

She needs to have lean proteins, including fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. Low-fat dairy is also important. Hire a caregiver to work with her to create balanced meal plans that focus heavily on vegetables with each meal and snack.

Start an Exercise Routine

Ideally, your mom wants to get 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. It’s best if she can mix up activities. She could swim laps one day, take a walk another, and ride an exercise bike on the third day. She might want to sign up for a Tai Chi class to help ease stress while toning muscles.

The more active she is, the better it is for her health. If she’s not an active person, encourage her to join you. Take family walks together when you can. Pick a different nature trail each week and gather grandchildren and siblings for a day out. After the walk, you could treat your mom to lunch out or a picnic.

Arrange elder care services for encouragement. Instead of exercising alone the rest of the week, your mom could have her caregiver join her on walks around the neighborhood or at a local park.

Hire Elder Care Aides to Assist Her at Home

Arrange elder care services to ensure she takes care of herself. Your mom needs to change her lifestyle by watching what she eats, exercising often, and checking her blood sugar levels.

Caregivers offer reminders and provide the support she needs to stay on track. From medication reminders to help with preparing meals, a caregiver makes a big difference. Call a specialist in home care to learn more.

Sources:
https://www.diabetes.org/about-us/statistics/about-diabetes

If you are considering elder care in Las Vegas, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

The American Diabetes Association established Diabetes Alert Day to fall on the fourth Tuesday each March. The goal is to raise awareness of the realities of diabetes and the impact it has on your health. Have your parents seen their doctor and talked about their diabetes risk?

Maybe, your mom or dad has already been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes. It’s important to learn what to do to prevent diabetes from worsening their health. These four diabetes facts are essential for you to know.

The Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

Several other health issues increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. If your mom or dad has any of these conditions or histories, it heightens the risk.

Family history
Heart disease
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle

Diabetes also impacts the risk of being diagnosed with chronic health conditions like gum disease, stroke, and heart disease. That’s why it’s essential to get tested for prediabetes.

Millions Have Diabetes or Prediabetes

In the U.S., around 96 million adults have prediabetes. Of those, 80% may not even know it. There are no symptoms, and it’s often silent until a blood test reveals high glucose levels.

Over 37 million people have diabetes. About 20% of those people do not realize it. Type 2 diabetes accounts for nine out of ten cases of diabetes. This is a 2x increase in just two decades.

Prediabetes Shows an Increased Risk

Your parents’ doctors can check their risk for prediabetes to determine the risk of developing diabetes down the road. An A1C test is a blood test that checks the average glucose levels in the blood.

If the A1C test is used, make sure your parents do not have underlying health issues like anemia, kidney disease, or liver disease. Those conditions can impact the results.

Medications Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels

The first steps to managing diabetes are losing weight, exercising often, and eating a healthy diet. Your mom and dad should skip sugary, high-fat foods and focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, non-fat dairy, and lean protein.

If those steps don’t help, medications may be recommended. One of the options for type 2 diabetes is a medication that slows glucose production within the liver. These medications aid in how your body uses insulin.

Arrange to Have Home Care Providers Helping Your Mom and Dad

Whether your parents have diabetes or have a higher risk due to prediabetes, they need to pay close attention to their health through diet and exercise. If they don’t feel comfortable shopping for groceries and cooking meals, bringing in home care can be the best step you take.

With the help of home care aides, your parents have someone supporting them regarding exercise routines, meals, and medications. Their caregivers encourage them to go for walks or put on an instructional Yoga video. They provide medication reminders, assistance with shopping, and help with menus and meal preparation. Call to learn more.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/quick-facts.html

If you are considering home care in Las Vegas, NV, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Summerlin. 702-800-4616.

Tag: Diabetes

How Can Elder Care Help Your Mom Manage Diabetes?