It is a chronic illness that affects how the human body converts food into energy. It can cause serious complications in the feet, particularly nerve damage, decreased circulation, and ulcers, which can lead to infections, gangrene, and potentially amputation. Healthcare providers can help patients protect against diabetic foot problems by recommending home care aides.
What Is Diabetes?
It is a long-lasting metabolic disease characterized by blood sugar (glucose) that is too high. Patients with diabetes have a pancreas that does not generate an appropriate amount of insulin. In type 1, the body’s immune system attacks cells in the pancreas. In type 2, the pancreas makes less insulin than it used to, essentially making the body resistant to insulin.
In the U.S., 38.4 million people live with diabetes (American Diabetes Association), including 2 million Americans with the type 1 form (Centers for Disease Control).
If not properly managed, diabetes can cause serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, vision, nerves, and kidneys. Diabetes can contribute to the formation of skin sores or ulcers on the feet that can worsen rapidly. Each year, it is estimated that 130,000 of those who have diabetes undergo an amputation related to the condition (Source: National Institutes of Health).
What Are the Risks for Diabetic Foot Amputation?
The majority of lower leg and foot removals originate from foot ulcers. Ulcers that do not adequately heal can cause severe damage to a person’s cell tissues and bones. If the ulcer is not managed, the damage it causes may require surgical intervention in the form of an amputation of a toe, entire foot, or section of the leg.
Certain individuals are at higher risk for diabetic foot amputation than others. The likelihood of undergoing an amputation is raised when specific variables are present:
•Smoking
•Peripheral neuropathy, also known as nerve damage, affecting the foot
•Deformities of the feet, such as Charcot foot
•Poor circulation, such as that originating from arterial disease
•Hypertension
•Vision problems (retinopathy)
•Poor management of blood sugar
•Chronic renal failure
•A history of foot ulcers
•Trauma to the foot.
The Place of Home Care in Diabetes Management
Home care aides recommended by healthcare providers can help clients effectively manage diabetes from home and prevent the development of foot ulcers. They can ensure their clients consume a healthy diet and remind them to take medicine correctly. When caregivers take care of their clients’ feet, they help prevent problems associated with diabetic foot amputation.
Foot care in line with healthcare providers’ recommendations includes:
Checking Feet Regularly
Caregivers can help clients inspect their feet at least once per day. They can look for signs of worsening condition, such as cuts, blisters and cracks, tenderness, swelling, and redness. If the client has mobility limitations that prevent them from thoroughly seeing the bottom of their feet, caregivers can place a mirror on the floor to review.
Providing Clean Footwear
Clean and dry socks can lower the risk of developing foot ulcers. The best socks home health agency caregivers can offer to their diabetic patients are those made from cotton and acrylic fibers. Additionally, they can make sure clients do not wear socks that have tight bands or seams, as these can reduce blood flow or create skin irritation.
Washing Feet
Caregivers can wash clients’ feet in lukewarm water daily. Gentle drying will prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to infection. Additionally, caregivers can help clients manage cracks in dry skin with moisturizers to prevent bacteria from penetrating.
Arranging Foot Appointments
Healthcare providers can examine clients’ feet for signs of nerve damage, decreased circulation, and other problems involving the feet. Caregivers can arrange regular foot checkups for clients to stay on top of foot health. It is suggested that diabetic patients should have an annual foot exam.
In Closing
With time, diabetes can damage the body. In certain patients, this damage can lead to complications that may require foot amputation. Healthcare providers can ease the disease burden on patients’ feet and prevent the need for amputation by advising the use of home care aides.
