Diabetes and ADL’s – Who Manages Care?

When a patient receiving assistance in ADL’s has diabetes, the responsibility to care for the condition falls upon a mix of people. Diabetes management includes medication management, blood sugar assessment, and diet regulation. This is why diabetes management depends upon more than only a nurse who can administer medication or a non-skilled professional who can help with meal planning.

Skilled Nursing Care
A skilled nurse will enter the home, and during the process of administering ADL’s, he or she will also draw a drop of blood to check blood sugar. If necessary, the nurse will also administer insulin to help control the amount of sugar in the blood. The nurse may also talk to the patient regarding diet if the patient does not have a non-skilled professional or dietitian available. If a consistent pattern of abnormal blood sugar readings is present, the nurse will recommend an appointment with the primary doctor, who may recommend a dietitian or further care. The presence of the nurse is essential in monitoring the ongoing health of the diabetes patient.

Unskilled Nursing Care
Unskilled care includes those who enter the home for light housekeeping chores, such as preparing meals. This person may help the diabetes patient with meal planning and preparation. Assisting with grocery shopping may also be an option, especially if the patient has difficulty purchasing the correct foods for diabetes control. Food preparation is also essential, as additives such as salt or sugar could ruin an otherwise balanced meal. Unskilled caregivers will help by preparing meals under the instruction of a nutritionist, nurse or doctor. An  unskilled professional may also be able to help with minor education, such as helping patients make healthier eating choices.

Dietitian
While a dietitian will not provide in-home healthcare, an unskilled professional will help the patient reach important appointments with a dietitian. If the doctor recommends a dietitian for a diabetes patient, the dietitian will communicate with the doctor. In turn, the doctor will share information with the nurse and non-skilled professional, who will help the patient increase diabetes management systems. Dietitians will review the diet of the patient, read the blood sugar numbers, and make suggestions in diet that will help the patient better manage the condition. While the dietitian is an outside source, he or she is still essential in the assistance in ADL’s process.

Vancouver Home Health Care Agency can help provide the skilled and unskilled professionals necessary to help keep a diabetes patient in the home for as long as possible. We are determined to help you understand how our agency will help your loved one with in-home diabetes management and daily care.
At Vancouver Home Health Care Agency, Caring and Compassion is our business.

• Companionship Assistance
• Diabetes and ADL’s
• pain management and ADL’s
• Qualifying for Medicaid
• Talking to Your Loved Ones
• What Happens in ADL