Overcoming Diabetic Foot Issues with Help From Home & Hearth Caregivers

For diabetics, every day is jam-packed with a plethora of tasks to be taken care of to make sure the disease stays under control: Tracking blood sugar levels. Eating balanced meals. Managing medications. And it’s just as crucial for those with diabetes to protect themselves against skin-related problems that can happen, especially on the feet, which can be affected by:

Damage to the nerves (peripheral neuropathy)
Reduced blood circulation
Infections
Wound healing problems
And others

Home & Hearth Caregivers provides home care Orland Park, IL families trust, and our experienced in-home caregivers provide the following information on diabetic foot concerns to watch for in your older loved ones:

Foot ulcers. Common in diabetics, foot ulcers often result from sores that can’t be felt as a result of peripheral neuropathy. They can rapidly worsen to the point of infection. Poor circulation may also contribute to the difficulty of these foot sores to heal.
Bunions, calluses and corns. All of these may develop if the senior has an abnormal gait, poorly fitting shoes, or issues with alignment of the feet.
Infections. Toenail infections in particular can be troublesome, and may present as a thickening of the nail, brittleness, and discoloration. Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot are also common.
Cracking. Overly dry skin can lead to cracking, in particular around the heel of the foot.

Because such severe problems as amputation have happened as a result of poor diabetic foot care, it’s imperative to inspect the senior’s feet on a routine basis and contact his or her medical provider with any concerns. It’s also essential to be sure the individual is wearing properly fitted footwear at all times, refraining from going barefoot.

Home & Hearth’s professionally trained senior caregivers can help in a variety ways to keep your senior loved ones safe from diabetic-related complications, such as:

Providing safe, dependable, escorted transportation to doctors’ appointments and medical procedures
Picking up prescriptions and making sure medications are taken just as the doctor prescribes
Assistance with personal hygiene to keep skin clean and dry
Making sure there are plenty of healthy food options in the home
Planning and preparing nutritious meals – and serving as a companion during meals if the senior would like, to make mealtime a more enjoyable occasion
Reviewing the home environment for any dangers that could result in injury, such as a fall
Paying attention to any changes in skin condition so they can be reported to the doctor
And more

Call us at 800-349-0663 for more helpful diabetes care resources, and to arrange for care in the home to keep your senior loved ones healthy, safe and thriving.