Diabetes Home Care

Throughout South Florida, Tri-County Home Care of Florida is making a difference in people’s lives.

Patients are being discharged from hospitals and rehabilitation centers earlier in their care, including seniors with diabetes. This is a well-known issue. Fortunately, the team at Tri-County Home Care of Florida, with their vast experience, is available to recognize the effects of diabetes and the crucial risk factors needed to combat the disease.

The Center for Home Care Policy and Research states that diabetes is the second most common primary diagnosis at the start of home care, following congestive heart failure. However, when diabetes and heart failure are considered together, they become the most prevalent diagnosis. This is a significant factor to consider as the majority of patients referred to home care are aged over 65. Additionally, the expected rise in diabetes cases is a worrying trend for home health care teams.

Recognizing Age-Related Conditions

As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that can obscure the symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and alter clinical test results. For instance, declining taste and smell can result in poor nutrient intake or malnutrition, or an over-reliance on salt and other seasonings that can exacerbate other medical issues. Changes in dental work can also affect food choices, impacting digestive functions and nutritional status.

Reduced thirst perception and the kidneys’ inability to concentrate urine in response to fluid deficits can cause dehydration and lead to hyperglycemic hyperosmolar states. This is a severe condition that is often precipitated by stressors or infections and has a 15% mortality rate in older patients, according to the American Diabetes Association. Additionally, thinning skin and a reluctance to consume fluids at night due to incontinence fears can contribute to diabetic problems.

Dehydration can also impair a person’s reasoning abilities. Cognitive changes can limit daily activities, result in undiagnosed depression, and even cause more social isolation, which is not recommended. Normalizing blood glucose levels may restore effective communication and lead to increased participation in diabetes management.

Neuropathies

Research indicates that 60-70% of patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes experience neuropathy, which refers to the dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves and can cause numbness or weakness.

Distal polyneuropathy is the most prevalent form, followed by carpal tunnel syndrome, other mononeuropathies, and autonomic neuropathy.

The presence of one or more neuropathies can lead to a decline in a patient’s condition and result in an incident that necessitates home health care services.

Peripheral neuropathy can cause pain or numbness in the lower extremities, making it difficult for patients to determine their foot’s position relative to the floor and leading to balance issues and a heightened risk of falling. Symptomatic autonomic neuropathy patients have a three-fold greater 5-year mortality rate than those without, with life-threatening effects such as abnormal heart rates and orthostatic hypertension.

Gastroparesis and chronic constipation followed by explosive diarrhea are common forms of gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy, while diabetic neuropathy may lead to bladder dysfunction and urinary tract infections.

The Tri-County Home Care Difference

At Tri-County Home Care of Florida, we provide specialized care for patients on hemodialysis. Our home care nurses coordinate with the dialysis center, arrange transportation as needed, and coach patients and caregivers on fluid restrictions, dietary adherence, and prescribed medications. By monitoring weight changes, blood pressure, and glucose levels, our nurses keep the entire health care team, including the patient, involved in the care plan.

Regular blood pressure and glucose monitoring can also help prevent diabetic kidney disease by promoting vascular disease screening (when appropriate) and interventions against cardiovascular risk factors.

Our nurses have a unique advantage in that they can view patients’ home settings and manage all their medications. When patients are cared for by multiple healthcare professionals, there is a risk of competing medications that could lead to unsafe scenarios. Patients and their families often assume that providers communicate with each other regarding prescriptions, but this is not always the case. Ensuring medication adherence is crucial to managing diabetes, and it is one of our top priorities at Tri-County Home Care of Florida.

Tri-County Home Care of Florida is committed to providing care to individuals who struggle with self-care. Regardless of where you or your loved one live in Palm Beach or Broward counties, we’ll have you covered. Our caring and experienced staff are equipped to assist individuals living throughout South Florida who need additional help managing diabetes or other debilitating conditions brought on by diabetes.

Our aim is to help you or your loved one maintain a healthy lifestyle while effectively managing diabetes. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 561-922-9178 (Palm Beach County) or (954) 923-0695 (Broward County) or schedule a consultation by clicking here.