NewsDetail
Patients’ families and caregivers recently attended a workshop at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) on caring for diabetics at home. The workshop was organized by HMC’s Homecare Service Department and was led by a team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health educators and dietitians.
The first day of the workshop was dedicated to female participants and the second day to male participants.
“Homecare patients we are caring for are aged 30-80 years, and as 60 percent of them are diabetic, we held this workshop to educate and train their families, other caregivers and attending nurses on the proper way to use a glucometer (used to monitor blood glucose), administer medications and insulin injections, and provide foot care, as well as how to prepare a healthy diet for diabetics,” said Nada Hussein, a Diabetes Educator with HMC’s Homecare Service Department.
The workshop provided information on the types of diabetes and risk factors, including hereditary and lifestyle factors. “Diabetes signs and symptoms can include severe thirst, frequent urination, impaired sensation, delayed healing of wounds, weight changes, blurred vision and fatigue. Short-term diabetic complications can include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Signs of hypoglycemia can include extreme hunger, dizziness, headache, cold sweat, fast heartbeat and weakness, while signs of hyperglycemia can include nausea, frequent urination, increased thirst, and dry and itchy skin. Diabetes can cause long-term complications such as poor vision, nerve damage, reduced blood flow and skin problems,” Ms. Hussein added.
If untreated, diabetes can lead to acute complications such as kidney disease, heart disease, stroke and can also cause depression. To prevent the development of diabetes-related complications, patients should follow their prescribed treatment plan, including taking their medications as prescribed, observing a proper diet and ensuring they get adequate physical exercise and maintain a healthy weight. They should also undergo regular check-up of their eyes, skin and feet to ensure early detection and treatment of any problems.
The workshop garnered high praise from attendees. Noutha Mohamed, the daughter of a 70-year-old diabetic patient, thanked the workshop organizers, saying she acquired good knowledge on how to care for her mother, who had developed diabetes several years ago and has since been cared for by HMC’s Homecare Service Department.
Another participant, Nayefa, has been caring for her elderly grandmother, who has diabetes and previously had a stroke. Nayefa said the workshop has given her important knowledge, especially on administering insulin injections and dealing with sudden drops in blood glucose level. She added that the workshop also helped her learn how to prepare more healthy dishes for her grandmother.
