Type 2 Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels become too high in the bloodstream. This occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or utilize it effectively. Without proper management, glucose levels can build up, leading to serious health issues like nerve damage. For those managing type 2 diabetes, personal care at home providers play a vital role in monitoring and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels to prevent complications.
How Diabetes Affects the Feet
Over time, diabetes can cause nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy. This condition often starts with tingling and pain in the feet and can progress to complete loss of sensation. Without the ability to feel pain or touch, your elderly loved one may not notice a pebble in their sock or a blister from new shoes, leading to open cuts and sores. If untreated, these injuries can become infected.
Type 2 diabetes can also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder for sores or infections to heal. Without proper care, these issues can escalate to serious complications like gangrene.
Having access to personal care at home services can make a significant difference in managing these risks. Caregivers trained in personal care at home can monitor foot health, assist with hygiene, and ensure injuries are treated promptly, helping to prevent further complications.
Symptoms of Foot Distress to Check for Daily
Catching problems before they escalate is important when your loved one has type 2 diabetes. Here are the areas that personal care at home and family caregivers should check daily on each foot:
- Ingrown toenails, where the edge of the toenail begins to grow under the skin, causing inflammation and tenderness.
- Any type of injury like a cut, blister, or scrape.
- Any corns or calluses that are beginning to form due to improperly fitting shoes or sandals. Check extra often when a new pair of shoes has been purchased and is being broken in.
- Athlete’s foot, which is a fungal infection of the skin on your foot. It is a common condition linked to diabetes.
- Plantar warts, which often develop on the soles and toes.
Getting Help with Foot Care for Your Elderly Loved One
One common reason a small injury on the foot can become a larger one that needs serious medical attention is because many elderly individuals or those who have a lot of belly fat, cannot see or care for their feet properly. With limited flexibility or low vision, your loved one may not be able to provide the routine care and review that her feet need to stay healthy.
A provider who offers personal care at home is a great way to make sure your loved one gets the consistent care she needs for her feet. With a personal care at home provider, that person can manage the daily and weekly care of your loved one’s feet so that if any problems do arise, they can be taken care of right away by alerting your loved one of the issue that she might not have had any idea was there.
A home care professional who helps with personal care at home of your loved one can also help with preventative care by assisting with washing her feet, providing regular toenail care, and applying lotion to reduce dry skin cracks and cuts.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Personal Care at Home in Pompano Beach, FL, please contact the caring staff at Actify Home Care today at (954) 902-6049
Actify Home Care provides exceptional home and facility care for anyone in Broward County, including Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Parkland, Sunrise, Plantation, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Tamarac, Coral Springs, Miramar, Florida, and surrounding areas.
We offer services all around the South Florida area, if you have questions for us or don’t see your area listed just ask, we’d be happy to help. Contact us today!
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