What to Do If Your Elderly Live-In Parent Is Diagnosed With Diabetes

Diabetes is commonly increasing and affecting many adults. According to the American Diabetes Association, over a quarter of the adult population over 65 years in the US have diabetes.

If a senior loved one was diagnosed with diabetes, a caretaker might be wondering how to help them through the phase. While there is a good chance that the caretaker is already helping them live a quality life, they still want to explore various avenues and offer the appropriate help to their senior loved one.

Here is a guide to help caregivers make informed decisions when an elderly live-in parent gets diagnosed with diabetes in Whittier-Downey.

Common Treatment Options Usually Given to Seniors With Diabetes

There are several treatment methods for diabetes to help a senior loved one live a quality life. A healthcare provider may suggest the following treatment options.

Physical Activities

Getting physical with regular exercises is often an effective option for losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. It also helps in regulating blood sugar levels. So, encourage a senior loved one to engage in physical activities of moderate intensity. They can alternate the activities from walking to standing, among other low-impact exercises.

Healthy Eating

Caring for a senior loved one living with diabetes can be challenging. It is important to help them follow a balanced diet as their doctor advises. Here are several ways to maintain healthy eating.

• Taking healthy snacks regularly
• Limiting food to small portions
• Consuming fiber-rich food
• Eating more fruits and vegetables
• Low-fat dairy, fish, and low-fat meats
• Healthy cooking oils like olive oil

While a caretaker should help a senior loved one focus on healthy eating, it is also important to note that there is no specific diet. So, it would be best if the caregiver centered the diet on healthy meals.

Weight Loss

Losing or maintaining the right weight helps control blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride. If a senior loved one is overweight, introduce strategies to help them lose weight. The more weight they lose, the better their chances of managing their health. A doctor can help determine the most appropriate weight loss strategies and lifestyle changes.

How Diabetes Affects Dietary Needs

If a senior loved one is living with diabetes, it is important to maintain a healthy eating pattern. Taking care of these needs can be time-consuming and costly, but it is important to help them maintain their diets to avoid raised blood sugar levels. It can also be challenging to help a senior loved one stay active and adjust to dietary changes, especially when they love certain foods.

How Diabetes Can Affect Daily Routines and Needs

Living with diabetes can affect the quality of life of seniors. It is important to keep up with a treatment and deity regime to control blood sugar levels. If a senior loved one has been active, their quality of life can change drastically with negative experiences from diabetes. The disease can affect their physical, emotional, financial, and social life. These changes can bring stressful and lonely moments, and complications can add more burdens to their lives.

Proactively Manage the Changes if a Senior Loved One Got Diagnosed With Diabetes

If you are taking care of a senior loved one diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to get equipped with quality information to help you manage the changes. You can also seek help from in-home caregivers caring for seniors with various conditions. At Senior Helpers Whittier-Downey, we offer in-home care for seniors in Whittier, Downey, Pico Rivera, and Bell Gardens, CA. We have professionally trained in-home caregivers who can attend to the needs of your senior loved one, no matter their health condition. Want to learn more about our services? Contact us today for help.