Learn About Your Mom’s Dietary Needs After a Diabetes Diagnosis
After her last doctor’s appointment, your mom learned she has diabetes. Talk to her doctor about having home health care services come to her home to help the family learn more about the care your mom needs.
From exercise to dietary changes, your mom needs to start making some lifestyle changes. Her home health care therapists and dietitians help her make these important changes.
What Can Home Health Care Do for Your Mom?
One of the dangerous aspects of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. If your mom has sores on her feet or legs, they can become infected. Keeping her blood sugar levels under control is essential to preventing this painful condition.
Nurses can check sores on her feet and legs and make sure nothing is infected. Wound care is offered if she does have cuts or sores that could become infected.
Know the Warning Signs of High or Low Blood Sugar Levels
After her diagnosis, your mom needs to manage her blood sugar levels. She’ll be checking her levels throughout the day and eating a healthier diet to keep sugar spikes from occurring.
You should be aware of the signs of low blood sugar. Sweating, dizziness, weakness, and shakes are common signs. If your mom’s blood sugar levels are too high, she may be nauseous, extremely thirsty, and urinating more than usual.
Identifying problems is essential. If you suspect your mom’s blood sugars are not right, you can test her levels and seek medical care if they’re too low or too high. Otherwise, you and your mom want to work with a home health care specialist to learn how to help your mom with her diet and exercise.
Your mom needs to learn how to choose meals and snacks that support her disease. It would help if you also learned how to help. Your mom’s care needs are best managed if she has the full support and understanding of her family.
By learning how to cook meals she can eat, you’re showing your support. Plus, it never hurts to eat healthily. A dietitian can teach you and your mom how to eat to avoid the rapid changes to blood sugar levels without sacrificing other essential nutrients.
Arrange to have your mom meet with diabetes experts in her home. Call a home health care agency and learn more about prices and services. When you know the available services, make arrangements for daily or weekly visits.