When a senior’s diabetes is not properly cared for, it could result in complications such as heart disease and stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputation.

If you are concerned that your loved one may need help keeping up with his or her diabetes care, hire an in-home caregiver to assist. Here are a few ways a caregiver can help:

• A senior with reduced vision may not see a small foot sore that could quickly develop into a major problem. An in-home caregiver can inspect the diabetic’s feet daily, can provide proper wound care and can coordinate care with the physician.
• An in-home caregiver can provide proper nutrition through the planning and preparation of tasty, diabetic-appropriate meals.
• An in-home caregiver can assist with a physician-approved exercise program.
• An in-home caregiver can provide reminders for glucose testing and can schedule regular physician checkups.

Coping with diabetes requires a reasonably high level of cognitive or mental function, given the need to follow a treatment plan that includes diet, exercise, and medication components as well as blood sugar testing and other self-care measures. Additionally, those with diabetes have a higher incidence of both dementia and Alzheimer's disease, making it even harder for them to perform multiple, complex tasks. Even garden-variety memory loss associated with aging can impact how well a person deals with diabetes.

A little extra assistance from a Freedom Home Care caregiver can provide mental and physical stress relief for diabetic seniors at home. Contact Freedom Home Care in Dothan, Alabama at 334-803-8078 or Opelika, Alabama at 334-745-7308 for more information on private duty care and customized options for varying client needs. Freedom Home Care also has offices in Columbus, Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama.