1. Nursing Assistant Monthly Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Caring for residents with diabetes February 2011

2. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. February 2011 Caring for residents with diabetes What is diabetes?  Type 1 –Generally begins in childhood –Pancreas produces no insulin or ineffective insulin  Type 2 –Adult form of diabetes, but younger people get it too –Insulin is produced but not in adequate amounts

3. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. February 2011 Caring for residents with diabetes Insulin: Key points  Cells need energy to do their work  Insulin helps sugar (energy) enter our cells  Too much insulin depletes the energy  Lack of insulin starves our cells, leaving sugar circulating in the blood (high blood sugar)

4. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. February 2011 Caring for residents with diabetes High blood sugar  Happens when diabetes is untreated or inadequately treated  Symptoms of high blood sugar: –Frequent hunger, thirst, urination, fatigue, dry skin –Can lead to confusion or coma if untreated  Over time, damage to blood vessels and organs occurs –Especially eyes, heart, kidneys –Poor circulation –Greater susceptibility to infections

5. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. February 2011 Caring for residents with diabetes Low blood sugar  Happens when a diabetic person gets too much insulin or does not eat enough to “use” their insulin  Cells are starving for energy  Symptoms of low blood sugar: –Sweaty, shaky, feeling dizzy, hungry, weak, irritable –Confusion, fatigue –Can progress to seizures, unconsciousness, death

6. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. February 2011 Caring for residents with diabetes Special care needs  Nutrition –Meals and snacks at regular intervals –Inform nurse if resident does not eat usual amount  Oral health –Diabetes increases risk for gum disease, dry mouth –Provide daily oral care

7. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. February 2011 Caring for residents with diabetes Special care needs (continued)  Skin care –Skin can get dry, itchy, flaky –Report to nurse any skin breaks or rashes; use products to combat dry skin according to your facility’s policy  Foot care –Impaired circulation and sensation can lead to skin breakdown, ulcers –Inspect feet every day, keep clean and dry; mild soap, rinse, and pat dry –Inform nurse of any broken areas, pressure areas, changes in skin

8. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. February 2011 Caring for residents with diabetes The nursing assistant’s role You’ve heard this before, but it is so true: You are the eyes and ears of the medical team!  Report anything unusual to the nurse  Examples: –A change in a resident’s behavior –A new reddened area on the skin –A resident vomits –The resident didn’t eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack –Can you think of more examples?