Tips for managing a family member's diabetes

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Fri, 07/05/2010 - 10:47pm

The treatment goals for an older person with diabetes are the same as for younger people. However, older people are more likely to have co-existing medical conditions that complicate diabetes management.

If you feel the person you care for needs more help managing their diabetes talk with the person about getting outside help or mention to a diabetes educator your concerns.

A diabetes educator can teach you and the person you care for how to manage diabetes, use equipment and take medications correctly.

Tips for caring for someone with diabetes

If you are caring for someone with diabetes there are many things you can do:

Find out all you can about diabetes. Ask for help and advice from a doctor or diabetes educator if you don't understand any aspects of diabetes management.
Know how to use diabetic equipment. If you are going to be taking someone’s blood glucose levels or giving someone insulin, have a professional check on your technique to ensure you are doing it correctly.
Find the right equipment. People with dementia or vision problems can have trouble using insulin devices, glucometers and lancets. A diabetes educator can help find the best equipment to suit a person's needs.
Get help with nutrition. Ask a dietitian for help with meal planning and nutrition. Organise home delivered meals to encourage healthy eating.
Know the signs of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Ask a diabetic nurse educator for a written step by step guide to managing low and high blood glucose levels. Ask what signs to look out for and what to do on a sick day.
Keep a person’s diabetic care plan in a handy place. A diabetic care plan will list targets for a person's blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Keep track of important medical checkups. Regular checkups include tests for the feet, eyes, kidneys, teeth and gums. Mark dates down on a calendar, help with transport to appointments and write down any recommendations.
Check the feet. Ask a podiatrist to show you how to care for diabetic feet. Check the feet daily and report any changes to a doctor or podiatrist. Buy proper foot wear to protect the feet from injury.
Join a support group. Get help and support with diabetes, meet new people and learn more about diabetes.

Helpful resources

For more information about diabetes and to download useful fact sheets about diabetes, visit Diabetes Australia or call the Diabetes Infoline on 1300 136 588.
Ring your local community health centre to talk to a diabetes educator.
Your local council or community health centre will direct you to your nearest diabetes support group.