Caring for Adults

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As our loved ones with diabetes age, the demands of diabetes care – from managing diet and exercise to monitoring blood glucose levels and meeting with healthcare professionals – can become increasingly more difficult to deal with on one's own. Older people may also have other health problems and complications that make coping with diabetes even more difficult.

That's why many adults need a little help from their loved ones. And if you're a caregiver to a spouse, parent or older relative, you're filling a vital role in helping your loved one stay healthy.

Independence and Interdependence

We spend our childhood and adolescence learning how to be independent adults. In fact, many of us link our self-confidence to our own self-reliance. As a result, it can be a difficult adjustment for mature adults to first admit they need help and then accept it. As a caregiver to an adult, it's important to be sensitive to the value people feel in self-reliance. Instead of taking over your loved one's life when it comes time to provide them with care, be their health partner, sharing the responsibilities for their health together. Keeping your loved one informed, involved and as self-reliant as possible will help you both to stay energized and happy.

Medications and Treatment

As a caregiver it's important to be informed about the medications your loved one is taking and what their treatment options are. Your loved one's healthcare team will create a diabetes treatment plan for them which may include insulin, oral medications or both. Exercise and diet will likely be part of their plan as well.

Learn more about types of medication and treatment.

Testing

Regular blood sugar testing is an integral part of diabetes management. As a caregiver it's important for you to know why testing is important, how it can help your loved one feel better, and the types of tests that they should be getting done regularly.

Learn more about testing.

Complications

Having diabetes raises the risk of developing other complications, such as skin problems, foot problems and periodontal disease. Learn how you can help your loved one prevent short- and long-term complications of diabetes and lead a healthy life.

Tips for healthy meal planning Planning well-balanced meals for someone with diabetes doesn’t have to be complicated. From counting carbs to reading food labels, we have you covered.

Nutrition

Nutrition is just as important as testing when it comes to managing diabetes. What your loved one eats will have a direct, and sometimes immediate, effect on their health. But nutrition doesn’t need to be complicated, as long as you know the basics.

Learn more about nutrition.

Hygiene

Good hygiene is important in keeping diabetes in check. Your loved one's teeth, skin and feet need special attention every day. Caring for them properly plays a big part in keeping diabetes under control by avoiding complications.

Learn more about hygiene.

Additional Resources

For additional information, visit Caring Today.