Having type 2 diabetes is a very serious condition that requires proper self-care treatment. However, elderly individuals often struggle with taking care of themselves properly as they age and may miss their needed medications. With this, it’s important to note that with home health care services, the elderly can manage their diabetes by having their daily meds reminded and daily tasks completed.
What is Diabetes?
As people age, diabetes becomes a common disease as the immune system becomes weaker. However, it is also common with individuals of all ages and/or genders. Contrary to common belief, it doesn’t just evolve from excessive sugar intake habits as there are other aspects as to why it occurs and the reason it is important to take care of.
Diabetes includes a range of insulin-related issues. Specifically, there are interruptions that occur in the metabolisms for carbs, proteins and fats. Diabetes occurs when there are more problems with insulin, a specific hormone that takes on regulating the sugar levels within the blood.
What are the different types?
Of the many variations within the category of diabetes, the most common are Type 1 and Type 2.
When diabetes is insulin-dependent, it is Type 1. This means that the body is limiting or stopping its production of insulin and this is where the person with diabetes needs to constantly inject themselves with insulin. This is because, without it, their blood sugar levels will get too high and the person is a risk of falling into what is known as a diabetic coma.
The other most common type is Type 2. With this, the opposite occurs where actually insulin is produced, however, the body is not able to identify it well enough and so the cells do not receive the same amounts of sugar as they are needed. With this imbalance, the pancreas produces double the amount necessary and there is an overload.
How to manage Diabetes?
If your loved one is diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to take on certain precautions and even services that allow the individual to live a healthier lifestyle.
The first step is to take on a healthier diet, this means it is important to cut out products that are actually harmful to the body. Such types of foods include sweets like desserts, sodas, cakes and more. Additionally, cholesterol within red meats are also harmful, following heavy starch products like pasta, white bread and fast food.
Substitute those products with low glycemic fruits and vegetables, as well as lean meats, and low-fat dairy.
Medication, another vital element of care. It is essential for those with diabetes to be taking the precise amounts of medications required by the doctor. However, this may become a great issue for elderly individuals as they have to follow a regimen that they may forget. With this, it is important to remind them constantly and ensure that they are taking in the correct dosages.
Checking blood sugar levels is another essential way to prevent long-term complications regarding diabetes. With home health care services, the caregivers know the acceptable ranges to monitor glucose levels.
As elders grow older, managing diabetics becomes another burden that they have to carry and more difficult to monitor as there are other complications along the way. With this, it is important to keep in mind that home health care services are capable of taking on such tasks and allow the individual to manage their health in a better way.
What Home Health Care Services Do
Home Health Care Services overall makes one’s life easier. It can help with various health issues and, depending on one’s needs, a range of services including nursing and medical to social and companionship, it can all be provided at home.
Some of the tasks include pulse, temperature and blood pressure checking, as well as how one is breathing. Additionally, they can keep track of weight concerns and assist with exercises and medications to make the disabled or elderly individuals overall healthier.
Studies have shown that Home Health Care services, compared to other long-term care facilities, are more comfortable and encourage individuals to be more excited and eager to go through life. Additionally, there are much fewer risks of infection since there is just one person being cared for, it can save money and make the individual live longer with home care support.
Home Health care services are there to take the concerns of forgetting medications and an unhealthy lifestyle away. These are all types of concerns that come along with being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, however, home health aide assists these individuals in the most comfortable way possible.
Home health care services reduce stress levels when managing diabetes. This becomes an essential benefit for often when controlling diabetes, insulin levels are raised by stress which lead to high blood sugar levels.
What type of training do Home Health Aides go through?
Home Health Care services are to hire only certified and properly trained home health aides to ensure that they passed all tests and know the procedures of how to treat someone with various conditions.
Additionally, they go through a thorough background and criminal checks to ensure everyone’s safety.
They are trained to learn about how to handle medical emergencies, note important symptoms that can be otherwise overlooked and know about infection control, sanitation, special diets, patient safety and more.
Which Home Health Care service should I choose?
There are many home health care services that provide the best care for elders and people living with disabilities.
One home health care service is All Heart Homecare Agency, an agency that is devoted to bringing the most convenient care into your loved one’s homes. The agency has been awarded by many platforms including Crain’s Best Places to Work as well as being BBB accredited as of 2019!
Individuals struggling with issues such as diabetes feel more comfortable with managing their health through home health care services. With a home health aide available, they are able to get ahead of their health and manage their diabetes easier. You can read more about that here.