Tag Archives: family care

Taking Care of the Caretaker

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I am one of the primary caretakers for my eighty year old grandmother. Some days are better than others; some days are very frustrating and make me want to scream. If you are responsible for the care of another person — be it a parent, child, or friend — don’t forget to take some time for yourself. Being a caretaker is not an easy job. You risk emotional depletion from dealing with an ill or incapable family member — you give and give and give and expect very little in return. You may become isolated because you are spending so … Continue reading →

Diabetes: Low Blood Sugar

If you are a diabetic, you don’t want your blood sugar to go too low or too high. Extremely low blood sugar is also known as hypoglycemia. If you are experiencing low blood sugar, you may notice the following symptoms: Shakiness, dizziness, or light-headedness Confusion Difficulty speaking clearly Nervousness, anxiety, or weakness Hunger Perspiration Sleepiness If your blood sugar drops while you are sleeping, you may also experience nightmares, or wake up sweaty. You may also wake up confused, or irritable. To give you a guide, normal blood sugar levels can be anywhere from 70 to 140 for non-diabetics, and … Continue reading →

Learning to Give Injections

I currently live with my grandmother, who has been living with Type II Diabetes since I was in third grade. (I’m 28… so that’s about twenty years of dealing with the disease!) A few months ago, our family doctor decided that the pills she was taking to control her blood sugar just weren’t enough. It was time to start on insulin. And who was the logical choice to play nurse and administer shots? The person who lives with her, of course! (Due to various problems of vision and dexterity, my grandmother really can’t give her own shots.) Now let me … Continue reading →