Good diabetes care requires consistent care management—understanding that ignoring diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetic coma. However, there are ways to alleviate the stress of care and remain hopeful and healthy.

First, identify care barriers. to diabetic care management include:

• Requiring more information/education on proper diabetic care
• Avoiding situations that could disrupt a care schedule
• Excuses to overcome regarding getting more exercise
• Eating patterns that may be driven by emotions rather than hunger
• Depression or other emotional concerns

Accept assistance. Family, friends and coworkers typically provide a great shoulder to lean on. Just let them know what is helpful and what to watch for. A home caregiver trained in diabetic care is also an excellent resource for care support and encouragement.

Reframe care into easily recognizable benefits. It's true that proper care helps prevent diabetic complications. But, if the complications are not enough to keep on track, consider other benefits that would better influence quality care. For example, proper care could result in improved agility on the basketball court, better work productivity, and the ability to more easily enjoy hobbies and interests.

Stick to a care plan. Creating a daily routine will help manage care. Don't forget to consider how that plan will be affected if there are disruptions to the regular schedule.

Think positively. Negative self-talk leads to depression and a feeling of helplessness, whereas positive self-talk is motivational and creates solutions. Instead of thinking, "I'll never be able to manage my diabetes? I might as well plan on having health problems," try thinking, "I didn't pay enough attention to my portion sizes at dinner; that is why my blood sugar is high. I need to think ahead and keep portion sizes in line with my meal plan, or cover with extra insulin if I eat more than I intend."

For more information on how Freedom Home Care can provide careful and consistent in-home diabetic care management and customized options for varying home care needs, contact us in Dothan, Alabama at 334-803-8078 or Opelika, Alabama at 334-745-7308. Freedom Home Care also has offices in Columbus, Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama.