Taking care of your own, or a loved one’s, diabetes can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re struggling to control your blood sugar or dealing with complications. When managing this condition becomes too much to handle, professional home health care can provide the kind of support and assistance you need. VNSNY’s highly skilled and trained professionals often work together as a team and provide a broad array of services.

Our professionals include:

• Registered nurses who work closely with your doctor to manage at-home care. During a visit to your home, a nurse will evaluate your needs as they relate to diabetes and any other conditions you may have (such as high blood pressure) and develop a personalized plan of care for taking your diabetes medication, monitoring your blood sugar, and managing your lifestyle; afterwards, the nurse will coordinate the delivery of services, and possibly diabetes-care supplies, and revise your plan as necessary.  
• Certified diabetes educators who consult on complex cases and advise the nursing staff on the latest in new medications and adaptive equipment available for persons with diabetes. Diabetes educators assist field nurses to develop ways to enhance patients’ self-management of this chronic disease and improve their outcomes.
• Certified home health aides who can provide personal care (such as bathing or dressing), and under special circumstances, check vital signs (like blood pressure) and circulation in your extremities (which can be affected by diabetes), measure your blood sugar and administer medications or insulin. They can also shop for and prepare low-fat, low-carb meals that may be recommended by a dietitian to help you manage your weight and keep your blood sugar stable, as well as assist with laundry and household chores.
• Home attendants (a.k.a., personal care workers) who can help with basic activities of daily living—bathing, dressing, grooming, moving around the home, walking, eating, shopping, paying bills, doing laundry, and taking you to medical appointments.
• Licensed social workers whocan assess your physical, functional, emotional, environmental, and social needs and offer strategies and resources for support.
• Registered dietitians who will evaluate your nutritional needs, develop a healthy low-fat, carbohydrate-controlled meal plan, and teach you how to successfully follow dietary strategies that will help you control your weight and your diabetes. After all, it’s important to eat regular meals that are nutrient-dense and high in fiber to keep your blood sugar stable. If you have or develop some diabetes-related complications, such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart disease, additional dietary adjustments (particularly when it comes to sodium, protein, fat, or alcohol intake) may be necessary. 
• Certified wound-care nurses who use highly advanced procedures and products to care for skin infections, foot injuries, and other wounds. Since people with diabetes often have decreased blood flow to the extremities and/or diminished sensitivity in the hands and feet (neuropathy), they are especially susceptible to wounds and healing problems. Wound care specialists can help reduce recovery time and prevent complications from wounds.

The secret to making at-home care successful: Prepare for it ahead of time by making a list of responsibilities and chores you’d like the caregiver to take on, so you can be sure you’ll receive the help you need and won’t forget anything that’s important to you. It's also wise to map out a schedule for meals, medications, sleep, and other activities, and to compile a list of emergency phone numbers for doctors, as well as friends and family members who can help in a pinch. This way, everyone will have the same expectations.