With the growing epidemic of diabetes
in our society, it's no wonder that many people are finding they have
an ageing parent with the disease. If you're one of this burgeoning
group of people, you may be discovering that this parent who once took
such good care of you is now not taking very good care of themselves.
And with a diagnosis of diabetes, them taking care of themselves is an
even greater concern for you. No diagnosis yet? Here are the signs to
look for that might indicate your parent is diabetic:
- extreme thirst
- extreme hunger
- frequent need to urinate
- nausea
- blurred vision
- shaking or tremors
- anxiety or irritability
- fatigue
- dizziness and/or confusion
- irregular or fast heart beat
Once
you're sure that your parent needs your help, there's no going back.
But don't feel overwhelmed just yet – there are a lot of ways that you
can help them, and a lot of resources out there to help support you in
your efforts. Here are some tips:
1. Get educated.
Knowing about the risks, the warning signs, and treatment options for
diabetes can go a long way to helping you be prepared. And being
prepared will help give you a better feeling of control and reassurance
that everything is going to be okay with your loved one.
2. Manage the team.
You, your parent, and the doctor(s) involved are a team now. Make sure
that you're involved in communicating with your parent and their medical
professionals so you can not only see that all the bases are being
covered, but so that you can have some peace of mind about it too.
3. Get active.
If your parent is not very active, invite him/her out on outings with
you, even that just means a walk after dinner. Try to get them involved
in activities that they might enjoy as well. Some examples are
gardening, mall-walking, art classes, Tai Chi or light yoga. Even
spending more time with the rest of their family doing things can help
them move those muscles more. Click here for more tips about exercising
with diabetes.
4. Get cooking.
Help your parent plan meals by cooking for them and showing them how
delicious healthy food can be! It's one thing to tell them what to eat –
it's another to show them. Click here for more tips on eating with
diabetes.
5. Find support.
Join a support group that will help you cope – you're not alone and
there are tons of people online and in person who want to show you just
that. Being proactive and discovering that you have someone there when
you need them can make you that much more helpful to that parent who
loves you.
Switching
roles and becoming the care-giver can be a scary process. Sometimes
it's gradual, while other times it comes along quite quickly. Try to be
patient with yourself and your parent through this process: avoid using
words like 'good' or 'bad' with the both of you. You're both learning
and growing, so adapting to diabetes doesn't have to be a torturous
ordeal. It can simply be something that you do together.
By Richard Lobbenberg, Acupuncturist and TCM Practitioner
These links may also be helpful:
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