How to Help Seniors Cope with Peripheral Neuropathy

As a family caregiver, it’s tough to watch your loved one deal with pain. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of pain that is difficult to resolve since it involves your loved one’s nervous system. Your loved one might have a few emotional reactions to neuropathy as well that make the situation more complicated.

4 Tips for Helping Seniors Cope with Peripheral Neuropathy

1. Talk to Your Loved One’s Doctor

The very first thing to do when you realize that your loved one is having problems with his neuropathy is to talk to his doctor. Your loved one’s doctor may be able to find medication that can help or he can suggest other tools or techniques that can help. Blood sugar control is really important when it comes to dealing with neuropathy and your loved one’s doctor may have other ideas for helping your loved one keep his sugar levels under control.

2. Set Reasonable Goals

Your loved one is going to have good days and bad days, so it’s important to keep that in mind. Try to convince your loved one not to push himself too hard when he’s not feeling up to doing certain things. It’s also important that your loved one doesn’t beat himself up when he’s not able to do something that he thinks he should be able to do without pain. The gentler he is with himself on the bad days, the better off he’ll be on his good days.

3. Make Stress Relief a Priority

Stress relief and relaxation activities can really help your loved one to deal with the emotional and mental aspects of dealing with neuropathy. Your loved one may find it easier to write in a journal or talk to other people who are also dealing with neuropathy. Whatever helps him to manage his stress can also help him to manage his pain levels when his neuropathy flares up.

4. Avoid Alcohol and Smoking

Both smoking and alcohol can make quite a few health conditions worse, and neuropathy is no exception. If your loved one smokes or indulges in alcohol, it’s a good idea to help him cut back if he can’t quit altogether. This can be complicated, of course, especially if he’s been smoking or drinking for a long time with no other ill effects. Work with his doctor to find a way to cut back without causing your loved one too much stress.

Neuropathy because diabetes can be painful, but you can help your loved one to manage it.

Contact Sonas for Home Health Care Services in Florida

If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today (888) 592-5855.

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.