6 Tips to Help Seniors Manage Diabetes at Home

Managing diabetes can be challenging, especially for seniors who face additional health concerns. Age-related changes such as reduced mobility, vision problems, memory issues, and dealing with multiple medications for other conditions can make it harder to stick to a treatment routine.

Diabetes care for your elderly loved one can be a constant responsibility, requiring regular monitoring, frequent medical appointments, and healthy eating habits. However, with a consistent daily routine and the right in-home care support, managing diabetes doesn't have to feel overwhelming.

Basics of Diabetes Care

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes glucose, or blood sugar, which is the primary energy source for cells. Type 2 diabetes is most common in older adults. In type 2 diabetes, the body can’t produce enough insulin or becomes resistant, causing glucose to build up in the bloodstream.

Common symptoms include:

• Urinating often
• Feeling very thirsty
• Extreme hunger
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts/bruises/sores that are slow to heal
• Unexplained weight loss

A medical provider can check your loved one’s blood sugar (glucose) levels with a simple blood test called A1C. Regular A1C testing helps determine if treatment plans need adjustments to prevent complications and keep blood sugar within a healthy range.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, sweating, and even fainting if not addressed quickly. On the other hand, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) may lead to increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and, over time, can damage organs and nerves if remained uncontrolled.

Essential Steps for Diabetes Care

Caring for a senior with diabetes involves more than just monitoring blood sugar. You’ll need to take a more holistic approach that focuses on key areas like nutrition, medication management, and regular health checkups.

Here are six practical tips to help you support your loved one in their diabetes care:

1. Adjust to Dietary Changes

Healthy eating is critical for controlling your loved one’s blood sugar levels. For many newly diagnosed patients, these changes can make them feel anxious or depressed.

A professional in-home caregiver can lend you a helping hand. A Visiting Angels caregiver can assume tasks such as:

• Shopping for groceries
• Preparing meals
• Helping your loved one keep a food diary
• Reporting behavior changes to a supervisor

Related reading: How Professional Caregivers Can Help Facilitate Proper Diets

2. Monitor Blood Sugar Levels

Most seniors with type 2 diabetes will need to check their glucose numbers throughout the day. It’s a quick test that requires only a tiny finger prick, a test strip, and a small, rechargeable testing device. Today’s digital glucose monitors can save test results with a timestamp, showing patterns and alerting you if the numbers are trending in the wrong direction.

It can be tough to remember to check glucose levels frequently. A professional in-home caregiver can assist with reminders during the day for your loved one.

Related reading: Home Care Nurse or In-Home Personal Caregiver?

3. Take the Right Medications on Time

Your aging loved one may have several medications to take each day. Many medications must be taken with food to promote absorption and prevent digestive side effects.

Phone apps and other automated reminders can work well for those who have their medications at hand, know their doses, and can differentiate the shape and size of pills. A medication dispensing machine can help seniors with cognitive decline and memory issues to avoid taking too much or too little medication.

Professional caregivers can remind seniors to take medications as prescribed. We can also notice mood or behavior changes and pick up prescription refills from the pharmacy.

Related reading: How a Professional Caregiver Can Help Manage Your Senior's Medications

4. Check Feet Every Day

Decreased blood circulation in the feet is a serious and, unfortunately, common complication of diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause foot pain or numbness (neuropathy) over time that significantly increases the risk of falling.

Reduced blood flow also means wounds take longer to heal, and neuropathy can mask the symptoms of infection. A tiny wound anywhere on the foot or lower leg can quickly lead to a serious abscess that can lead to gangrene and amputation.

Your senior will likely need someone to do a visual check of both feet every day to look for swelling, redness, blisters, cold or hot spots, and other issues.

Talk with your loved one’s doctor about changes in their foot or leg health.

A Visiting Angels caregiver can report changes in your loved one’s appearance to a supervisor, who will contact you with any concerns.

Related reading: Foot Problems in the Elderly and Fall Risk

5. Keep Up With Doctor Visits

When neuropathy or medication adjustments require doctor visits, a personal caregiver can help your loved one safely attend these important checkups. We can assist with:

• Transferring your loved one to and from a vehicle
• Driving to and from the clinic
• Helping to gather written or online instructions for follow-up care

Professional caregivers can aid your loved one with scheduling recurring vision, dental, and health exams and provide reminders to follow care instructions.

Related reading: Routine Eye Care Needed for Seniors

6. Promote Physical Activity and Social Interaction

Having diabetes can feel isolating—sometimes, it takes someone outside the family to stimulate energy and revitalize interest in hobbies and activities they enjoy. Professional caregivers are experts in encouragement.

Visiting Angels can match your loved one with a personal caregiver experienced with boosting spirits and prompting healthy habits. Services can include:

• A helping hand with light housekeeping like vacuuming or laundry
• Transportation to a senior exercise class
• Participating in at-home fitness and wellness activities
• Setting up outings and social get-togethers

Related reading: Healthy Habits for Seniors to Keep Sharp

Let Visiting Angels Provide Diabetes Support For Your Senior

You know your senior loved one better than anyone. When a chronic condition like diabetes makes daily life challenging, professional in-home assistance is just a phone call away. Visiting Angels is a go-to resource, even if you could use just a few hours of respite care a week. When care is shared with a trusted partner, both you and your loved one can thrive.

Contact us today to learn how Visiting Angels can provide the dedicated support your loved one needs, helping them manage diabetes and live comfortably at home while giving you peace of mind.