Around 7 million people in the UK – that’s one in seven of us – are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It’s a serious condition with no cure, and it can lead to devastating complications.
But Type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable. Up to 80 per cent of Type 2 diabetes cases can be delayed or prevented. So it’s important that everyone understands their risk, so they can reduce their chances of ever developing the condition. Diabetes UK says that research shows the general public still struggle to identify all of the factors that put someone at risk of Type 2 diabetes – for example being over 40, having a large waist and being black or South Asian.
Diabetes UK launched its biggest ever awareness campaign this autumn highlighting the risk factors of Type 2 diabetes. The campaign is aimed at helping people understand their personal risk of developing the condition and encouraging those in at-risk groups to check their risk of Type 2 diabetes, and to provide information on what they should do next. Initial symptoms are usually relatively mild, and for some individuals not even noticeable. But left unchecked, the disease can have a serious impact on our health. Diabetes can lead to blindness, heart disease, strokes, amputations and kidney failure. If the disease is caught early enough it can be controlled by adopting a healthy balanced diet and exercise.
At Otus Live-in Care we have many clients who suffer from Diabetes. With the help of their live-in carers, these clients are often able to successfully manage their diabetes in a number of ways. A healthy balanced diet is a key factor in the management of diabetes and with a live-in carer in place, the client benefits from home cooked healthy meals every day.
A live-in carer can encourage gentle exercise. In some instances our clients have acupuncture, helping to manage and control their condition in a more natural way, without the need for medication. A live-in carer can ensure that the client attends appointments such as these.
For those clients who are more seriously affected by the disease, the role of the live-in carer is even more vital as they can help them with the limitations the disease may have put on their lives. These clients may require a greater degree of personal care in order to remain in their own homes – help with mobility or assistance with bathing, washing and dressing – but most importantly, the live-in carer is there to monitor the client’s health and take appropriate action should there be any problems.
Otus Live-in Care is a privately owned company offering a bespoke service introducing personal live-in carers and companions to clients in their own homes. We are dedicated to help provide support for those who want to remain living in their own home independently, but with the security that they have someone living with them to deliver support and provide companionship. To find out more about how a live-in carer could help you maintain a healthy lifestyle whilst retaining your independence and remaining in your own home,
visit our website www.otusliveincare.com, call us on 01403 710119 or email [email protected].
To find out what acupuncture can do to help control diabetes and many other conditions and to find an acupuncturist local to you, visit the British Acupuncture Council’s website