Ways To Help Your Senior Parent Manage Diabetes

If your senior mom or dad was recently diagnosed with diabetes, they may need some help at home while they learn to manage it. Getting diabetes under control means that your mom or dad will have to make big lifestyle changes, which can be a real challenge for seniors. 24-hour home care providers can help your mom or dad through the learning process.

With 24-hour home care, someone will always be with your senior parent to make sure they are taking their medication, help them cook healthy meals, and keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t experience any big spikes in their blood sugar level.

In addition to getting 24-hour home care for your mom or dad, you can also try these things to support them while they learn to manage their diabetes:

Help Them Learn About Healthy Eating

One of the most important parts of managing diabetes is eating the right foods. You can help your parent learn about healthy eating by planning meals together.

Focus on whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, and foods that are low in sugar. Make sure they avoid processed foods and sugary snacks.

Learning how to read food labels is another useful skill. You can show them how to check for hidden sugars and carbs in packaged foods. Taking small steps to improve their diet can make a big difference in controlling blood sugar levels.

Encourage Them To Read More About Diabetes

Knowledge is power when it comes to managing diabetes. The more your mom or dad understands how food impacts their blood sugar the better prepared they will be to manage their condition.

To help your mom or dad learn more about managing diabetes you can get some books from diabetes at the library and read them together. You can also print out articles, healthy food lists, and grocery lists.

Your mom or dad may also benefit from joining a support group or social media group for seniors who have diabetes. Other seniors can lend support and share information with your mom or dad.

Take Your Parent To A Dietician

A great way to help your parent learn more about healthy eating is to make an appointment for them with a dietician that specializes in helping seniors with diabetes. The dietician can make suggestions for foods that your senior parent should be eating, help plan menus, and answer any questions that you or your senior parent has about managing diabetes with diet.

Attend Doctor’s Appointments With Them

Diabetes management often requires frequent visits to the doctor. Offer to go with your parent to these appointments. You can provide emotional support for your mom or dad, and make sure that all of their questions get answered by the doctor.

You can also use the opportunity to learn more about diabetes. You can take notes during the appointment or ask questions to clarify anything that seems confusing to you or your mom or dad.

Help Your Mom Or Dad Get More Sleep

Sleep is essential for people with diabetes. Poor sleep can affect blood sugar levels and overall health. You can help your parent by helping them set up a consistent sleep routine.

Encourage them to have regular bedtimes and wake-up times, even on weekends. Make sure their bedroom is comfortable and quiet and reduce screen time before bed. A good night’s sleep helps the body regulate blood sugar more effectively, which will help them manage their diabetes.

If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care Services in the Lee’s Summit MO area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today.

Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.

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Kevin Edwards

Owner at Elder Care of Kansas City

Kevin’s life and the lives of his immediate family have been impacted by caregivers – either as a patient or a caregiver - for as long as he can remember.He watched his mother take care of his grandmother until her death at the age of 97.Five years later, his father passed from a neurological disorder that was subsequently confirmed as Lewy Body Dementia.In 2007, his wife, Lori, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.The symptoms of Lori’s disease required Kevin to hire a caregiver during the periods of her relapses.

Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.

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