Home Health (medical) & Home Care (non-medical)
When it comes to managing diabetes, both home health and home care can play important roles, but they serve different purposes.
1. **Home Health Services:** These are typically provided by skilled medical professionals such as nurses, physical therapists, or dietitians. They offer medical care and support for individuals recovering from illness or injury, or managing chronic conditions like diabetes. In the context of diabetes, home health services may include administering insulin injections, monitoring blood sugar levels, wound care for diabetic ulcers, providing dietary guidance, and educating patients and their families on diabetes management.
2. **Home Care Services:** Home care, on the other hand, focuses on non-medical assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and companionship. While home care aides may not provide medical treatments like administering insulin injections, they can still play a crucial role in helping individuals with diabetes adhere to their treatment plans by assisting with tasks that may become challenging due to the effects of diabetes or other health conditions.
For someone living with diabetes, both types of services may be beneficial depending on their specific needs and level of independence. Home health services can ensure proper medical management of the condition, while home care services can provide support with day-to-day tasks and promote overall well-being. It’s important for individuals with diabetes and their families to discuss their needs with healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate type and level of care.
People with kidney failure or kidney disease are more likely to experience depression, but it can be hard to identify because many of the symptoms are also caused by kidney disease itself.
Some signs of depression in people with kidney failure include:
Mood: A depressed mood most of the day, constant sadness, or feelings of despair or hopelessness
Interest: Reduced interest or loss of pleasure in activities
Sleep: Insomnia or hypersomnia, waking up early, or sleeping more or less than usual
Appetite: Major weight change or increase or decrease in appetite
Energy: Fatigue or low energy
Concentration: Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Other: Irritability, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, or constant thoughts of death or suicide
Other stressors that can contribute to depression include: Financial burdens, Inability to work
due to dialysis, Dietary constraints, and Treatment guidelines.
If these symptoms last for several weeks, you should talk to your healthcare team or a mental
health professional to help determine if they are related to kidney failure or depression. You
should seek immediate help if you have suicidal thoughts.
Control your blood pressure
Meet your blood glucose goal if you have diabetes
Work with your health care team to monitor your kidney health
Take medicines as prescribed
Work with a dietitian to develop a meal plan
Make physical activity part of your routine
Aim for a healthy weight
Get enough sleep
Stop smoking
Find healthy ways to cope with stress and depression
Try to be with other people and to confide in someone
Expect your mood to improve gradually not immediately
Aim for 8 hours of sleep per day
Exercise regularly; even if it’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking the car further away from the store