10 Deadly Myths about Diabetes from Comfort Keepers Elderly care in Troy, MO

I have heard a lot of misinformation about diabetes, how it is caused and how it is treated. The slide show in the link below sorts out 10 of the myths surrounding this disease.

10 Deadly Myths about Diabetes

Diabetes Treatment: Diet from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

What Does Diabetes Do? from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

A Diabetes Overview from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Foot Care for the Elderly in Your Care from Comfort Keepers in Troy, MO

Many elderly people experience problems with their feet. They can be from normal wear and tear after years of use but could also be the result of arthritis, diabetes or other diseases. Read the following article for advice on foot care.

Taking care of feet and sole when involved with elder care

Debunking Diabetes Food Myths from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

There are many misconceptions about what diabetics can and cannot eat. the following article tackles 5 of them:

5 Common Food Myths for People with Diabetes Debunked

Watch for These Symptoms if Your Loved One is Diabetic from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

If you are caring for a parent or other loved one with diabetes you already know how hard it can be to keep blood sugar under control and you are also probably aware of some of the possible complications that can arise with the diabetic. The following article lists many of the symptoms that need to be watched for.

Diabetes Symptoms to Never Ignore

Diabetes Etiquette for Non-Diabetics from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Diabetics can become very frustrated by other peoples reactions to their health, whether it's unsolicited advice and/or ignorance of the disease. Dr. Polonsky, PhD, CDE, founder and president of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI) in San Diego, California gives us these ten tips on Etiquette for People Without Diabetes.

Diabetes and Exercise from Comfort Keepers Senior Care-

Exercise can be an important part of caring for diabetes and controlling blood sugar., but you (or your loved one) still have to be cautious, and consider factors that non-diabetic persons do not have to. Please read the following article for some guidelines:

Diabetes Health: Exercise Caution

Eating Right Helps Control Diabetes from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

The complications of diabetes can be devasting and are the result of poor blood sugar control. The major factor in controlling blood sugar is, of course, diet. Everyone knows that the diabetic can't have sugar, but it's more complicated than that. If you find yourself taking care of a diabetic loved one, you need to know the ins and outs of the diabetic diet.

The first most important thing is to follow your loved ones doctor's advice. The doctor can point you in the right direction and perhaps tell you where to go for more information.

Here are a few sites for menu planning and recipes to get you started:

American Diabetes Association: Meal Planning

From the Mayo Clinic: Diabetes meal plan recipes

And more recipes: Diabetic Living

And here's the best part, following this diet can help you and your other family members eat healthier, too. So you don't have to make your diabetic loved one feel left out by serving them something different than the rest of the family

Warning Signs of Diabetes from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

The complications of diabetes can be devastating. Sometimes they occur even before diagnosis. However there are warning signs for diabetes that have often been ignored. If you or the loved one in your care experiences any of the symptoms discribed in the following article a visit to your doctor is in order.

Diabetes Warning Symptoms

Diabetes and Alzheimer's from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

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?

Caring for an Elderly Loved One with Diabetes in Troy, MO

If you are caring for a parent with diabetes, you may already know about things such as blood sugar levels, insulin, proper diet and the complications that can result from this disease, but then you may not. I have found an excellent source of information that is specifically geared to the caregiver of an elderly person with diabetes.

Caring for an Older Adult with Diabetes