With your loved one’s diabetes educator, you can explore better ways to improve blood sugar control, if needs be, as well as working on any new issues that may develop. According to Kathy Honick, RN, CDE, a diabetes educator at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, ‘It’s highly recommended that all those with type 2 diabetes follow up with a diabetes educator, either one-on-one or in a class, at least once a year for updates and further diabetes education.’ Honick adds that as a caregiver you should also attend these sessions, so to ensure you are comfortable providing the proper care that your loved one needs.
Whether you only need to supervise your senior, or you’re doing the bulk of the work, at all times you should know what’s going on with your loved one’s health. You have to be part of the diabetes health care team, which means going with them to their doctors’ appointments and providing a second pair of ears so instructions are better understood. These meetings can also allow you to ask you own questions or express concerns.
You also play an important part in ensuring your loved one eats, sleeps and exercises the best that he or she can. Try preparing your loved one’s meals, to ensure they are well-balanced, and encourage them to eat. You can also help your loved one to stay active by joining them on a walk or encouraging them to take an exercise class, as it’s a proven fact that exercise is easier when you don’t have to go it alone. Also, regularly check your loved one’s feet and make sure their nails are cut straight across to prevent ingrown nails. Finally, remember there’s only so much you can do and if your loved one doesn’t respond to your help, don’t blame yourself but seek the help of their doctor. Sometimes, they just need to hear it from somebody else.