Diabetes can affect many parts of the body, and. can an older person who has diabetes, be sure they flowing to the feetperson with diabetes should …
The Comfort of HomeTM Caregiver Assistance News
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The Comfort of HomeTM Caregiver Assistance News
February 2007
Diabetes - Special Care Needs
An Ounce of Prevention
Diabetes can affect many parts of the body, and can lead to serious problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney damage, and lower-limb amputations People with diabetes can reduce these risks with the help of their doctors, families, and caregivers This means controlling the levels of blood glucose often called blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids cholesterol, and receiving regular preventive care Older people with poor control of blood sugar levels often have problems with thinking, depression, and other disabilities If you are caring for an older person who has diabetes, be sure they see the doctor on a regular basis to be evaluated Good diabetes care can help reduce the risk of complications Blood Sugar–Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy In order to keep the amount of insulin in the blood from becoming too high, most people with diabetes take supplemental insulin in pill
form or by injection Caregivers are often responsible for blood sugar testing Insulin Shock–Blood sugar levels can also become too low from giving too much insulin or from poor diet, resulting in a serious condition called insulin shock or hypoglycemia Signs include: shaking, nervousness, feeling faint, or even passing out Call 911 immediately if the person faints and is unresponsive
Signs of Diabetes
See the doctor if you or someone in your care has any of the symptoms of diabetes: feeling very thirsty urinating often feeling very hungry or tired losing weight without dieting sores that heal slowly dry, itchy skin pain or loss of feeling in the feet tingling in the feet
blurry vision Some people with diabetes have NO symptoms until they find out from a routine blood test
Blood Pressure and Cholesterol–People with diabetes are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol through better diet and medication can help limit this risk Lowering blood pressure also reduces stress on the kidneys
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The Comfort of HomeTM Caregiver Assistance News
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Continued from page 1 Weight Control and Exercise–Eating
regular, balanced meals that include carefully measured portions can help keep diabetes under control Caregivers should limit the amount of candy, cookies, and other desserts given to someone with diabetes Always read food labels for hidden sugars in unexpected places such as crackers, bread crumbs, and ketchup Sometimes, simple measures such as watching the diet, losing weight, and increasing exercise can bring diabetes under control
Sources: American Diabetes Association; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: National Institutes of Health
People with diabetes should see the eye doctor regularly Laser therapy can reduce the possibility of severe vision loss caused by diabetes
Taking Care of Feet People with diabetes may lose the feeling in their feet because the nerves are damaged This is why the feet need to be checked every day Without nerves to warn the brain of injury, the tissue can break down, leading to possibly severe infections and the need for amputation Taking good care of the feet can reduce amputation rates by 45 to 85 percent Things to look for: cuts or breaks in the skin swelling or blisters ingrown toenails changes in color or
shape flowing to the feet–person with diabetes should put up their feet when sitting, wiggle their toes and move their ankles for five minutes, two or three times a day, and keep their legs uncrossed ask the doctor about Medicare coverage for special shoes wash the feet daily and use skin lotion, but not between the toes keep toenails trimmed always wear shoes and socks
difference in feeling–less sensitive or hurt more corns or calluses A foot specialist podiatrist can trim corns, calluses, and toenails To protect the feet: keep blood sugar at healthy levels daily foot checks exercise helps keep the blood
smoking constricts blood vessels–so encourage the person in your care to quit smoking dont put the feet into water without first checking the temperature with your hand
The Comfort of HomeTM Caregiver Assistance News
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Taking Care of Yourself
Managing Anger
Caregivers can easily become stressed, and the natural response to stress is anger But expressing your anger or frustration to the person in your care never helps Find positive ways to express yourself: Vent your feelings in a caregiver support group The people in the group will understand how you feel
and they will help you find practical solutions See a therapist, family counselor, or clergy Write your feelings in a journal Remember that a chronic illness can change personality and behavior, and the person who makes you angry may not be able to help themselves Positive communication is the key to lowering stress in relationships Avoid accusations such as: You make me angry Instead say: Please try to understand that being a caregiver is sometimes difficult
Department of Veterans Affairs wwwvagov/diabetes American Diabetes Association 1701 North Beauregard St Alexandria, VA 22311 Telephone: 800-342-2383
A man does not have to be an angel to be a saint Albert Schweitzer
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Diabetes Facts
About 18 million Americans have diabetes, or about 6 percent of the population About 6 million of these people do not know they have the disease Diabetes is the sixth leading causes of death and disability in the United States Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are associated with long-term complications such as adult blindness, end-stage renal disease, and amputations as a result of nerve disease People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more
likely to have heart disease and strokes than people without diabetes Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: National Institutes of Health 2003
Livingston County Office for the Aging
Quick Quiz
8 Murray Hill Drive Mt Morris, NY 14510 Phone: 585-243-7520 Email: ofta@colivingstonnyus Fax: 585-243-7516
People with diabetes can help avoid serious problems with proper care After reading this issue, answer True or False to the questions below 1 People with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood TF 2 Diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, blindness, kidney damage, and lower limb amputation TF 3 Insulin is given to help control blood sugar levels Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels also helps TF 4 People with diabetes should eat candy, donuts, and other deserts for energy TF 5 The feet of people with diabetes must be checked every day, because high blood sugar can cause nerve damage, which leads to loss of feeling TF 6 Diet is very important in the treatment of diabetes Always check food labels for hidden sugars TF 7 Smoking is not a problem for people with diabetes TF 8 Some of the symptoms of diabetes are
feeling 
very thirsty, urinating frequently, sores that wont heal, and tingling in the feet Sometimes there are NO symptoms TF 9 Caregivers may become stressed and get angry They should vent their feelings in a safe way such as with a support group or a counselor TF 10 TF Name ________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________Date_____________________ Answers: 1 T, 2 T, 3 T, 4 F, 5 T, 6 T, 7 F, 8 T, 9 T, 10 T
2007 CareTrust Publications, All Rights Reserved, Illegal to Copy Without A License from the Publisher 800/565-1533
The American Diabetes Association provides free information about how to take care of a person with diabetes
The Comfort of HomeTM Caregiver Assistance News Livingston County Office for the Aging GENERAL FACT SHEET PURPOSE
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People sixty years of age and older now number 9,435 and represent 15 of the population The specialized needs of this group of citizens have been designated as the responsibility of the Livingston County Office for the Aging This office has been chosen as the official Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act by the New York State Office for the Aging As such, it initiates, conducts, and
coordinates programs to improve the quality of life for senior citizens and advocates on their behalf Programs and services are designed to assist older persons to remain independent and living in their own homes for as long as possible PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INFORMATION AND REFERRAL: A professional staff helps solve special problems of the elderly and their families on a person-to-person basis A comprehensive file of services and programs available to older people is maintained Referrals are made to appropriate agencies with follow-up to see that help is received For information, call 243-7520, or call toll-free from: Avon, Caledonia, Lima area: Dansville, Springwater area: Conesus, Hemlock, Livonia area: Dalton, Hunt, Nunda, Portage area: 226-6380 335-2190 346-6210 468-5165
NUTRITION PROGRAM: A hot midday meal is available to individuals age 60 and over in Livingston County, at three nutrition sites in the county located in Avon, Dansville and Mt Morris The Nutrition Program provides a hot meal and also an opportunity to socialize The suggested participant contribution is 200 No one is denied services funded by the Federal Older Americans Act because of an inability to contribute
HOME-DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM: Home-delivered meals have been established to deliver nutritious meals to homebound individuals age 60 and over who, by reason of incapacitating illnesses and/or disability cannot attend the congregate meal program The suggested participant contribution is 225 No one is denied services funded by the Federal Older Americans Act because of an inability to contribute TRANSPORTATION SERVICES: Through a sub-contract with the Livingston Area Transportation System LATS, transportation is available to and from the congregate nutrition sites in Avon, Dansville and Mt Morris LEGAL SERVICES: Through a sub-contract with Family Service of Rochester, Legal Services for the Elderly Program, an attorney is available one day a week by appointment, to provide legal counseling to older persons There is no fee attached The suggested contribution is 1000 per visit No one is denied services funded by the Federal Older Americans Act because of an inability to contribute HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION COUNSELING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HIICAP: Trained counselors provide clients with information on various health insurance policies including Medicare This enables clients to make a
more informed decision on their personal health insurance needs ELDERLY PHARMACEUTICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE EPIC: is available to help eligible individuals age 65 and over, who are New York State residents, with the cost of prescription drugs The Livingston County Office for the Aging will provide applications and assist with the application process EPIC is a cost-sharing program
The Comfort of HomeTM Caregiver Assistance News October 2004
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HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HEAP: The Livingston County Office for the Aging certifies individuals age 60 and over who meet program income guidelines Qualified individuals receive a one-time payment to help meet their energy costs Individuals must apply annually This program is available to both homeowners and renters WEATHERIZATION REFERRAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WRAP: Provides coordinated link between clients and all available energy-related services Individuals are provided assistance in locating and utilizing appropriate services EXPANDED IN-HOME SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM EISEP: EISEP is designed to provide nonmedical, in-home services such as 1 housekeeper/chore, 2 homemaker/personal care, to enable mildly functionallyimpaired
older persons to remain in their own home Charges are determined on a sliding scale fee basis EMERGENCY ALERT RESPONSE SYSTEM EARS: A lifeline to the elderly A personal emergency response program, useful to frail older persons who live alone EARS Lifeline is available through a sub-contract with Noyes Memorial Hospital RESPITE: Program to assist caregivers who are caring for someone in their home by providing a short break from caregiving with quality, in-home, non-medical, respite services Either the caregiver or care receiver must be age 60 or over The suggested contribution for respite services is 300 per hour No one is denied services funded by the Federal Older Americans Act because of an inability to contribute LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM: This program is a coordinated system of state and local agencies responsive to the concerns and problems of older residents of long term care facilities Trained, certified volunteer ombudsmen receive, investigate and resolve concerns made by or on behalf of residents of adult home, health-related facilities, and nursing homes They also monitor the quality of care, help protect residents rights, and assure treatment with dignity and
respect Friendly visitor services are also available through this program FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM: Men and women age 60 and over, with limited incomes, volunteer in schools, day care and other sites 20 hours a week with children who have special needs Grandparents receive a stipend, lunch and some assistance with transportation NEWSLETTERS: Monthly publications of the Senior Nutrition Program Newsletter, Caregiver Assistance News and quarterly Wit and Wisdom newsletter SUPPORT GROUPS: Current list of area support groups is available through the Livingston County Office for the Aging WEBSITE AND ONLINE SUPPORT AND INFORMATION LIST: List of websites with resources for seniors is available through the Livingston County Office for the Aging CAREGIVER AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS: Through a collaboration of Livingston County Office for the Aging, Mental Health Association of Livingston County and the Pioneer Library System, Resource Centers have been established in all Livingston County libraries This project was made possible through funds under the Older Americans Act Title IIIE National Caregiver
Grant
Source:co.livingston.state.ny.us
