There are some studies that suggest that Alzheimer’s is actually a form of diabetes. Whether this is true or not, there is a link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Trying to manage diabetes in the person your caring for is difficult enough without the added complication of dementia.
Failure to adequately control blood sugar can cause complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, loss of limbs and death. As memory losses become more severe it will be up to you to make sure your diabetic loved one’s blood sugar is controlled.
Your loved ones doctor can be your best resource for care. Ask him how often blood sugar needs to be checked and what to do if it is too high or low. He can also give you dietary guidelines and point you towards resources that can help. Don’t hesitate to ask him about anything you don’t understand or are unsure about.
It also helps to be able to recognize the symptoms of high or low blood sugar. This page from The Diabetic Caregiver describes these symptoms.
Proper diet and eating on a regular schedule are a must. There is no one “perfect diet” for diabetics, again consult your loved ones physician for the guidelines. Use these guidelines to evaluate anything you may find or read on the internet. There is a wealth of information and recipes out there but not all of them may be what’s right for your loved one. Skipped meals, a common problem with Alzheimer’s patients, can be dangerous, also, causing blood sugar levels to drop too low. Make sure they are eating three meals a day and more often if that’s what the doctor recommends.
Doing the stick to check blood glucose and injecting insulin may also become a problem, let’s face it, those needles hurt. If it gets to the point where the senior in your care no longer understands why it is being done it can cause upset and agitation as well as striking out against the caregiver who is trying to do what has to be done. Patience and understanding can help considerably here. Try to find someone or something that can distract the person in your care while you do this.
Don’t forget the exercise, it can help keep weight down and control the blood sugar levels. Take a walk, even if it’s just around the yard or the house. Find something your loved one likes to do, dance, go swimming, play and enjoy yourself. The exercise is good for you, too and gives you and your loved one a chance to have fun together.
Resource:
What is Diabetes?
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