There are different treatments to help people manage diabetes.
Treatment will be recommended based on individuals’ needs. Treatments are available free of charge through the NHS via a prescription.
Type 1 diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes need insulin to treat their diabetes. Up until 1980’s, animal insulin (usually from pigs) was the only way to treat type 1 diabetes. Now, human insulin is used, being cultured in laboratories. Advantages and disadvantages of both types of insulin have been documented and preference is down to the user at the advice of their GP.
Type 2 diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes may need medication to manage their blood sugar levels but it’s also possible they can manage the condition through diet and exercise alone. Consultation with a GP is still required. The doctor will be able to advise which method of management is best for each individual.
Treatment options are very much dependent on the type of diabetes. If the person you are supporting has another type of diabetes, their treatment options may be different.
A GP or healthcare professional will be able to advise the best diabetes treatment plan to suit an individual and their specific needs.
You can find out more about the latest research via Diabetes UK’s website.
Did you know? Ancient Greek physicians prescribed exercise for diabetes – preferably on horseback to alleviate excess urination. Clearly we are not suggesting this to treat diabetes today.
Good practice guidelines for supporting people with diabetes in a care home or domiciliary care environment.
These include:
- Having a specific policy on supporting people with diabetes.
- Each individual having a personalised diabetes care plan with key roles, responsibilities, targets and arrangements for review.
- Having a diabetes champion or key worker with specialist training.
- Everyone having a basic knowledge of diabetes and appropriate competence checks. (It’s a good job you are doing this course!).
- Staff delivering daily personal care to understand the care plan relating to foot care and daily inspections of feet.
- A fully stocked “Hypo box” containing fast-acting glucose to treat hypoglycaemia.
- Individuals who are at risk of hypoglycaemia should have their blood glucose monitored by care staff as agreed with the GP or a diabetic specialist nurse or a district nurse.
- Having a nutrition care plan based on the individual’s MUST (malnutrition universal screening tool) score and best practice guidance on nutrition for people with diabetes.
- Having an annual review in line with NICE guidelines.
- Developing an audit tool to assess the quality and extent of diabetes care within their organisation.
- All care home residents should be screened for diabetes by the GP on admission.
NICE Guidance
Should you want more information, this is a link to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance in managing type 2 diabetes.
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