meal prep for older adults with diabetes
TRANSCRIPT
MealPreppingforOlderAdultswithDiabetes
By:JessieSolisJune4th,2020
WhatisDiabetes?TherearetwotypesofDiabetes;aconditionthataffectsthewayenergyismadeforthebody.Type1isanautoimmunereactionstoppingtheproductionofinsulin.Type2istheimproperinsulinproductiontokeepbloodsugaratnormallevels.AccordingtotheCDC,symptomscaninclude:
• Thirst• Hunger• Numbortinglinghands/feet• Blurryvision• Dryskin.
Mealpreppingdifficulties:Preparingmealswithdiabetesandthesymptomsabovecanpresentwithchallenges.Forexample:
Symptom: Consequence:ExcessivethirstorhungerNumbnessortinglinginhandsBlurryvisionDryskin
• Malnutrition• Difficulty
participatinginoutdooractivitiesorclass
• Difficulty
manipulatingkitchenutensils
• Inabilitytosenseextremetemperature
• Cutsorbruisescangouncheckedleadingtoinfection
• Fatigue• Difficulty
manipulatingkitchenutensils
Whyitmatters?Diabetesisassociatedwithincreaseprevalenceinfunctionaldisabilities,depression,falls,andcognitiveimpairments.Studieshavealsofoundthatmalnutritionishighlyprevalentinelderlydiabeticinpatients(Vischeretal.,2010).Allofthiscanleadtofrailty,lossofindependence,andlowqualityoflife(Araki&Ito,2009).
• Canleadtocracksinskinmakingithardertoheal
• Mayleadtoredness
WhatanOccupationalTherapistcandoforyou!(Treatments):
• MealPrepSchedule1. Pickaday&timetogroceryshop&cook
Schedulethebestdayoftheweektogroceryshopandmealprep.ForyouthiscouldbeaSaturdaymorningoraSundayafternoon.Alsobemindfulofthetimeofday.Areyoumorefatigueintheevening?Doyouhavethemostenergypostameal?Pickatimeofdayyouhavethemostenergy.Mealpreppinglunchand/ordinnerfortheweekeliminatesthenumbertimesyouhavetocookinadaythroughoutthatweek.Here’sanexample:
*Needsomeinspiration?HereisaweeksworthofrecipesbyaRegisteredDietician:http://www.eatingwell.com/article/290459/the-best-7-day-diabetes-meal-plan/
2. PackefficientlyAftercooking,packyourmealsefficientlywithutensilsandincontainersthatareeasytomanipulate.Bepreparedwiththepropersnacksorwatertohelpwithshiftingsugarlevels.Herearesomereusablemealprepcontainersthatcouldworkforyou:https://www.amazon.com/Evolutionize-Healthy-Meal-Prep-Containers/dp/B0128YT76S
3. DoaregularSkinCheckSkinchecksinvolveinspectingskinareasthatmayhavebeenimpactedwithoutnoticeduetoneuropathyorlowvision.Especiallywhilecookingandmealpreparation.Inspectyourhandsandarmsforburns,discoloration,orcuts.
• ModifytheCookingEnvironment
1. AdjusttheLighting
Makingsurethereisproperlightinginthecookingareacanhelplowvisiondifficulties.Openwindowsoradjustblindstoeliminateglares.
2. UsecontrastingcookingutensilsDoyouhaveawhitestovetop?Alightcoloredcountertop?Usebrightordarkpots,pans,andkitchenutensils.Thiswillmakemealpreparationeasierwithlowvision.
3. RemoveTripHazardsEliminatinganytriphazardsinthekitchencanreducethechancesoffallsduetolowvision.Triphazardscouldincluderugs,loosecarpet,pets,orclutter(Toto,2017).
• AssistiveTechnology
1. Cutgloves
Link:https://www.amazon.com/NoCry-Cut-Resistant-Gloves-Performance/dp/B00MXUHHGK/ref=lp_393303011_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1591903923&sr=1-4
Cutglovescanreduceyourriskofsustainingharmtoyourhand.Thisonefromamazoncomesindifferentsizes!Youmayfinditeasiertoonlywearitonyournon-dominatehand(thehandnotusingthesharputensil).
2. MagnifyingApps
Link:https://nelowvision.com/2018/03/06/top-magnification-apps-blind-visually-impaired/ Whilepreparingameal,itmaybedifficulttoreadlabelsoncans,boxes,orbottlesduetolowvision.Yourphonecanactasamagnifier!Aboveislinkedsomeofthebestapplicationsformagnifying.
3. FoodThermometerLink:https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Commercial-Waterproof-Digital-Thermometer/dp/B00009WE45/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Food+Thermometer&qid=1591904689&s=hi&sr=1-2Afoodthermometercanreducethechancesofburnsduetoneuropathy.Itwouldallowyoutocheckthetemperatureoffoodsandliquidsbeforeeating.
Resources:
• WayneStateUniversity-DEWClinicLink:https://dewclinic1.wixsite.com/home
TheDiabetesEducationWellnessClinicisafreemultidisciplinarystudent-runclinicthatprovidesspecializedcareandeducationresourcesforpatientswithdiabetesintheDetroitcommunity.Thestudentmultidisciplinaryservicesincludepharmacy,medicine,dietetics,physicaltherapy,occupationaltherapy,andsocialwork.
• HenryFord-DiabetesSupportGroupLink:https://www.henryford.com/about/community-health/wellness-resources/diabetes
Patientsandfamiliescancometogethertolearnmoreaboutdiabetes,shareexperiences,exchangerecipes,andbecomepartofanetworkfacingsimilarissues.Therearealsohealthcareprofessionalsavailabletoofferguidance.Thesesupportgroupsarelocatedthroughoutmetro-Detroitandisfreeofcharge!
• DiabetesDetroit-PatientResourcesLink:https://www.diabetesdetroit.com/patient-resourcesThispageprovidesnewpatientformsandfirstappointmentchecklists.Italsogivesaccesstohelpfulapps,websites,educationalmaterials,linkstomedicalsuppliers,andassistivetechnologyfordiabetes.Italsohasmoreinformationonlocalcommunityresourcessuchas:DiabeticsAssistanceProgram,LillyInsulinAssistance,CVSMinuteClinics,andtransportationresources.
• DiabetesHealthFair-QuickMealsonaBudgetLink:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtEYwPN62-kProvidedbyWashingtonHospital,watchCertifiedDiabetesEducator:AnnMazzeiinstructsonhowtoplan,groceryshop,andputtogetheramealonabudget!Ms.Mazzeiprovidessomehelpfultipswhilecooking.
Otherprofessionalsthatcanhelp:
• OptometristorOphthalmologist-isaphysicianthatspecializesineyecare.Theycanhelpwiththeblurredorlowvisionsymptomsthatcanbeassociatedwithdiabetes.
• Neurologist–isaphysicianthatspecializesinbrain,spinalcord,andnerveinjuries.Theycanhelpwiththeneuropathysymptomsthatcanbeassociatedwithdiabetes.
• Pharmacist-canprescribemedicationsanddrugtherapiesthatmayaidinsymptomsofdiabetes.
• Dietitian-isanexpertinaddressingnutritionalintakeandputtingtogethermealplans.Theycanaidinmalnutritionthatmaycomewithdiabetes.
References:
Araki, A., & Ito, H. (2009). Diabetes mellitus and geriatric syndromes. Geriatrics & gerontology international, 9(2), 105-114.
Barney, K., & Perkinson, M. (2015). Occupational Therapy with Aging Adults-E-Book:
Promoting Quality of Life through Collaborative Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Diabetes Symptoms . (2020). In Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Retrieved
from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/symptoms.html Toto, P. (2017). Occupational Therapy and Prevention of Falls. In American
Occupational Therapy Association . Retrieved from https://www.aota.org/About- Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/PA/Facts/Fall-Prevention.aspx
Vischer, U. M., Perrenoud, L., Genet, C., Ardigo, S., Registe-Rameau, Y., & Herrmann, F. R. (2010). The high prevalence of malnutrition in elderly diabetic patients: implications for anti-diabetic drug treatments. Diabetic Medicine, 27(8), 918- 924.
HowthesesolutionshelpYOUinoccupationalengagement:Thesetreatmentsandresourcesassistinself-care,specificallyeatinganddrinking.Anessentialactivityofdailyliving!Forexample,theprovidedtreatmentsfoundmoreefficient,coordinatedtasksandactionsofeating.Particularlyundertheassistivetechnologyportionwhereacutgloveislistedasanpossiblesolutiontoeatingwhilehavingsymptomsofneuropathywhileeatingorcookingwithsharputensils.Hopefullyyoufoundsomesolutionsthatwillmakemealpreppingandeatinginyoureverydaylifeeasier!