Helping or caring for an older person with diabetes is extremely challenging; sometimes the person knows what is good for the condition but does not want to do it; sometimes the caregiver is concerned about invading the privacy of a loved one or violating their free will. Learning how to manage diabetes and other health issues can also be stressful. In addition, it is equally important for caregivers to maintain their own health and balance.
How do you become a good caregiver? First, work with your loved ones and your doctor, rather than trying to do everything yourself.
The art of caregiving
As a caregiver, there are some difficulties when it comes to providing help. For example, the more you expect to change the person’s diet, the less approval you get.
So, caregiving is really an art. Ideally, ask, listen, and respond with an other-centered way of thinking. This means:
- See things from a loved one’s perspective whenever possible.
- Asking questions such as “What do you need help with?” , “What do you want done?” and so on.
- Gently offer new ideas.
- Gently suggest new ideas, such as “Let’s go for a walk today?” or “Would you like to do yoga with me?” Instead of “You need to get some exercise!”
The main goal of caregiving is to help your loved one live as high a quality of life as possible. Try asking questions like this:
- “What do you do to feel happy? What can we do to help you feel better?”
- “What do you want to do in the next few months? What will keep you healthy while you’re doing that?”
- “What aspect of our care is making you feel most uncomfortable at the moment? Are there any other issues with health? How can we address these issues? Is there anything the doctor can do to help?”
What kind of help and support a caregiver provides is based largely on his/her time and ability. If there are important needs that cannot be met, explain them to your loved one. It may be helpful to consider more than one caregiver or a family caregiver approach.
Understanding diabetes care for older adults
Knowing the care recipient’s treatment plan can help with better care. Whenever possible, accompany the patient to medical appointments so you can learn from the doctor what care is most important, such as hypoglycemia prevention and treatment.
No need to be surprised if the treatment plan offered by the doctor becomes lenient. For many older, sicker people with diabetes, tight control of blood sugar does not improve health.
Supporting patients to make decisions with their doctors
Physicians can make decisions with patients about treatment options based on health-based conditions and preferences. Caregivers can help patients think through medical decision making questions such as:
- What treatments are most likely to improve or ensure your quality of life?
- What treatments or tests affect your daily life? Do the benefits of the treatment or test offset these negative effects?
- Do you need pain management?
Cooperate with the doctor
Encourage your loved one to cooperate with the doctor during the visit. Help your loved one follow these principles:
- Visit the doctor with an active participation mindset. Listen carefully to the doctor and ask questions if you are unsure. If you feel the treatment plan is difficult to follow, ask the doctor about it.
- Ask someone to accompany you to your appointment if possible. The other person can help ask questions and help record medical advice.
- Ask for instructions. Make sure you know how to take care of yourself before you leave the office. Ask your doctor for written information, videos or links to websites.
- Follow up on your doctor’s orders and call your doctor if you have questions. It is good to know your test results and keep a list of your medications.
Depending on how well your loved one thinks, speaks, and remembers, caregivers can act as a go-between to offer help. Try asking your loved one leading questions in front of the doctor, such as, “Is all of this information understood? What do you think of this idea?”
Care of the patient’s diet
Try to use food to prevent large increases or decreases in blood sugar. A smart diabetes diet is not the same as “no sugar” and “only special foods.
- Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
- Eat fewer meals throughout the day.
- Each snack and meal should include carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Eating only pasta, for example, can cause blood sugar to rise sharply and then fall. When paired with protein and fat (such as cheese), it helps reduce the sharp rise in blood sugar.
Caregivers may need to tell loved ones what to eat and what not to eat, unpleasantly. If this doesn’t work anymore, try changing the approach and method.
- Think about the foods your loved one likes, maybe a sweet treat before bedtime?
- Instead of absolutely not eating his/her favorite food, reduce the portion size. For example, have a small serving of ice cream.
Take care of yourself
Loved ones depend on caregivers, and caregivers need to take care of themselves. If a caregiver isn’t thinking more about him or herself, ask yourself these questions:
- How do I feel about these changes in my life? Am I allowing myself to have negative feelings such as anger and guilt? (It is normal to have these feelings)
- Is caregiving affecting my health? What are my needs in terms of health?
- Do I have free time?
- Do I have any free time left?
- Do I have free time?
- Do I have someone to talk to?
- Do I have someone to talk to?
- Do I need more medical information and support?
- Do I need more medical information and support?
- Do I put in extra time and effort? If so, what changes do I need to make?
- Do I need more medical information and support?
- What are the benefits of caring for my loved one?
Please think carefully about these questions. To provide the best possible quality of life for a loved one, it takes a caregiver to decide how to support, help, or make changes.