Nothing says “family” like Thanksgiving, as we gather together in gratitude with those we love to celebrate the simple gift of togetherness. And, as we noted in a recent blog post, at the center of the festivities is the traditional, lavish meal that we all eagerly anticipate well in advance of the big day – which can cause health complications for all of us, but particularly for those with diabetes.
The home health care team at Hearts at Home has compiled the following list of recommendations to help those with diabetes fully enjoy the holiday season while remaining healthy and safe:
- Continue to count your carbs. It might be tempting for those with diabetes to allow themselves a break “just this once” from tracking their carbs, but it’s important to stay on track and keep carb consumption within the doctor’s guidelines at all times. A variety of apps are available to make it easy.
- Get active! Throughout the entire year, but especially during the holidays, exercise is vitally important for diabetics. Remaining physically active can reduce the risk for diabetes-related complications, lift our mood, reduce stress, and generally improve our overall health and wellbeing. Try joining a low-impact swim or yoga class, begin walking on a regular basis, or engage in active games with the kids. Weather permitting, it’s important to get outside as much as possible too, to boost levels of vitamin D that we acquire from the sun.
- Take a trip. Diabetic seniors may be reluctant about traveling too far away, but by following some simple guidelines, those with diabetes can enjoy traveling as much as anyone else. This helpful checklist serves as a way to make sure that diabetic care needs will be fully met while the senior is traveling. And be sure to pack plenty of healthy snacks, to adhere to a regular meal schedule, and test blood glucose frequently.
If you’d like more tips on helping those with diabetes or any other chronic condition to remain healthy and thriving at home – before, during, or after the holidays – contact Hearts at Home. Our the help at home in Kansas City and nearby areas supports seniors in the form of professional in-home care services. Our services can range from a few hours each week of companionship and assistance with household chores to full-time, around-the-clock care, or anything in between. Call us at 913-440-4209 to schedule a free in-home consultation to discuss solutions for your senior loved one’s particular needs.