Tips for Indulging the Sweet Tooth of a Senior with Diabetes

Posted: 4/21/2017 11:29 AM by Interim HealthCare
Diabetes is a very serious condition that requires extensive and management to ensure that it does not develop into more severe complications. One of the major ways to help your senior manage their condition is through changing their diet. What your loved one eats makes a tremendous difference in their health and well-being, as well as their ability to manage their condition. This might be a big change in their lifestyle, which can be difficult for them to adapt to, particularly if they enjoy sweets. Fortunately there are ways that you can trim out the foods that might threaten their well-being while still allowing your parent to indulge in the flavors that they love.

Use these tips to help you indulge your parent’s sweet tooth while helping them manage their diabetes:
• Reduce gradually. If your aging parent is accustomed to consuming a lot of sugar each day, help them to cut down gradually. Trying to cut it all out immediately can cause physical symptoms as well as frustration, resentment, and inability to stick to it. Prevent this by reducing the amount that they consume gradually, such as cutting down on the amount of sugar they put in their coffee or tea, or replacing some with an alternative and gradually replacing more and more until they are fully switched over.

• Try gelatin. Gelatin desserts are sweet and fruity, but are available in sugar free options that let you get a sweet treat without high calories or fat. Try topping this will a small dollop of heavy cream sweetened with a splash of vanilla and a small amount of sugar or natural artificial sweetener.
• Chew gum. Chewing gum is available in a wide variety of flavors, many of which are sugar free. Chewing these can calm cravings without affecting your parent’s blood sugar or getting their diet off track.
• Enjoy fruit. While fruit contains natural sugar, this is better than indulging in baked goods, candy, or other foods with added sugar. Ask the doctor about which fruits contain the least sugar and indulge responsibly.

Starting home care for your aging parent can be a fantastic way to help them to manage their individual health challenges and complications in the way that is right for them so that they are able to achieve and maintain a high quality of life as they age in place.  An in-home senior care services provider can be with your aging parent on a fully customized schedule that ensures that they are with your parent when they need them and that your loved one will get the level of care, support, and assistance that is right for them. This includes devising a highly personalized set of services tailored specifically to the challenges and limitations that your aging parent faces, as well as their lifestyle goals and preferences. With this type of care, your parent is able to live the type of life that they desire and deserve while getting all of the care that they need to handle health issues such as diabetes and supporting independence and fulfillment. Even if your aging parent does not have extensive needs, this care provider can give them care and support that helps them to save energy, maximize their efforts, and live the best quality of life possible. When this comes to helping them eat a healthier diet, this care provider can research recipes with your loved one, bring them to the grocery store to choose the foods that are right for them, and even get in the kitchen with them to help them prepare meals and snacks that support their health. 

Learn more about Diabetes care.