In-Home Memory Care Interventions For Diabetic Patients

Memory loss related to dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, or aging can be mild or it may be profoundly disruptive to the person's life. If your loved one has significant cognitive problems and memory loss, they may be unable to live alone. Here are some interventions an in-home memory care provider can offer your diabetic loved one who has memory loss.

Testing And Medication Reminders

Blood glucose testing and taking prescribed medications are crucial in managing blood sugar levels. People with memory loss who live alone may be at risk for developing hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia as a result of forgetting to monitor their glucose levels and take their medications.

The in-home memory care provider can remind your loved one to test their blood sugar levels and take their oral anti-glycemic medication or to self-administer their insulin. It is important to note, that while all in-home memory care providers can offer reminders, only nurses can administer insulin injections. If your loved one has profound memory deficits and cannot self-administer their insulin, contact the memory care agency to find out if they have licensed practical nurses or registered nurses on staff who can administer injections.

Meal Cues

Diabetic patients need to make sure that they eat their meals on time to help prevent dips in their blood sugar levels known as hypoglycemia. If meals are missed due to memory loss, the diabetic patient may become hypoglycemic and develop shaking, profuse sweating, nausea, palpitations, and even loss of consciousness.

Your loved one's in-home memory care provider can give the individual verbal cues to remind them to eat. If the diabetic patient is unable to prepare their own meals, the caregiver can prepare nutrient-dense meals in accordance with the physician's recommended diabetic diet. In addition to giving the patient verbal cues for meals, they will also make sure that your loved one eats. They will also assist the memory loss patient with meal set-up, pouring coffee and other beverages into cups or glasses, and even feeding the individual if they are unable to feed themselves.

If your loved one has both diabetes and memory loss, consider the above benefits of hiring an in-home memory care provider. When your loved one's needs are met, they may be able to live in their home longer instead of having to move to an assisted living community. An in-home memory caregiver will also help ensure that the diabetic patient's blood glucose levels remain within normal limits so that spikes in blood sugar levels are less likely to occur. 

For more information about in-home memory care, contact a local company.