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Dad is Long term T1 Daughter wanting advice.

D

Dadheath

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
My Dad has been a T1 since he was in his early 30's, he is now 82 and has been constantly having issues with keeping his BG levels good. I am not his primery carer as my sister is, but she is going on holiday and I will be taking over. This last year I have been on a low carb high fat way of eating as I had a gluten intolerance as well as many other health issues. many of which have been helped by the low carb high fat way of eating. I think that a diet along the lines of low carb would help my dad but im wary of sugesting it as anything I say about the care my sister provides is treated with contempt and will just be a waste of my breath. However with me taking over cooking for him for just over a week I was thinking of getting my dad on side and getting him to try out some of the dishes I eat so he can then talk to his diabetic nurse about it then they could get my sister on side. even if it is getting him to cut down on carbs, as he uses things like ice cream and sweets to bring the BG levels up, then the next day they are to high. Im sure if he was taking less insuline and controling his diabeties with diet more then he would get better levels more consistantly and be feeling better. He has been having bleeds in his eyes which I dont know if im right in thinking could also be linked to the BG levels keep changing.
 
Before experimenting with your fathers diet it would be best to discuss your plan with his diabetes team, especially if you or your father don't know how to adjust his insulin doses to match the reduced carb content of his meals.
 
To support the carb counting, you and your sister could try using an app such as Cook&Count app to support you in carb counting the meals that you cook. It would also help you if you are doing hi fat / lo carb and gluten free. Good luck with it. He has a good daughter!
 
@Dadheath When you say he struggles to keep his blood sugar good, do you mean it's too high? Or too low? Or is it very erratic?

Is he or his carer counting carbs and calculating the correct dose of fast acting insulin for each meal?

For the hypos, maybe you could encourage him to use Dextrose tablets so he'll be less likely to overcorrect and go too high.

I wouldn't change his diet without speaking to his team. Also, unless he's eating an excessive amount of carbs, then I'd look at the imsulin doses and timings first with the help of his team. Most Type 1 eat moderate carbs. The key is to use the insulin appropriately.

If your dad already has eye issues, it would be even more important to check with his team as bringing his sugar levels down too quickly may make his eyes worse.
 
I would suggest that you don't make any changes or even suggest them to your dad until you fully understand your dad's insulin regime, diet and why it is like it is. There are probably a lot of factors involved (including personal dietary preferences) which mean that things have evolved to be the way they are.

Once you have that understanding (and I suggest that would probably take a lot longer than your sister's holiday), and once you have discussed things with your dad and his healthcare team, in detail, then you might be in a position to make a few changes. With his permission and approval, of course.

My experience of suggesting a few lower carb options to my father (T2 diabetic of a similar age to your dad) is that he is extremely unwilling to make any changes to the diet he he has been enjoying for the last few decades, and which he considers to be healthy. Since I am not willing to jeopardise our relationship over a few carbs, and since I am not in a position to influence his eating on a daily basis (he lives 250 miles from me), I have backed off, and bite my lip when he makes what I consider to be bad food choices.
 
Your Dad has had T1 Diabetes for 52 years and is now 82 years old. He must somehow be doing something right some of the time to get to 82. As others have said talk to your Dad, your sister and your Dad's Diabetic Team. Try not to revolutionise his regimen to the way that you know works for you but will not necessarily work for your Dad. You are likely to meet opposition to your ideas and unwillingness from your Dad to co-operate with something that he may consider to be yet another new fangled diet.
 
Hi @Dadheath ,

Funny enough I'll be in a simalar position with my 86 year old mum in may. My sister has a job that will take her abroad for a week.. (She has a production company & sings in a pop band.) so I couldn't let her miss this opportunity.
Now my mums not diabetic, but there is one particular medication she is prescribed I don't agree with. I've sent links regarding statins to my sis. Which she politely refuses to accept.
Though my sister & I happily concur with everything else since my mum moved down with my sister & lol, I took mum's dog on full time just over a year ago after being with me on & off for 7 years with my sister & I running backwards & forwards to my mums like "blue ***** flies" in an attempt to keep a care package in place....

However. I can't dispute my mum's current health (for her age.) & wellbeing. She does suffer from the early onset of Altziemers..

So, when my wife & I take my mum in. It will be "business as usual" for her...

Now I applaud your low carbing.. I do it myself..
Where I'm gonna have to draw the line with a mother that had experience of bringing up a T1 son in the 70s, is the "go on 'ave a banana?" Or "you must have something to eat." As she cuts a loaf in half & fills it with cheese & lettuce.... Which used to **** me off, even as a kid!
But, I do know my own diabetes.. ;)

Just simply give your dad a bit of consistancy & enjoy the company of his daughter in his old age... :)
 
Changing foods etc for a week of care is to me, well, a bit too much really on enforcing things that you think best on someone that has lived 50 years with T1 and at the age of 80+ may well not actually want to have things changed.

I know how difficult older persons can be to accept any change.

I also know at 50+ years old I would not want anybody looking after me for a short term basis coming in and altering my life.

Please talk to dad... there may well be other considerations to his eating other than just diabetes..
 
I'm all for you trying to introduce your father to a potentially much better option. However:

  • Do not completely overhaul his diet. Major diet changes can completely change how someone's diabetes needs to be managed, and can throw years of experience out the window. You can give him a couple of low-carb meals during the week (provided he or you know how to adjust his insulin accordingly), but no more.
  • If he is on an older insulin regime that requires him to eat a fixed amount of carbs every meal, do not give him a low-carb meal. It is quite possible that changing him to a newer insulin regime will improve his diabetes management but this may be a hard fight to win.
  • Don't change the way he treats hypos unless you really know what you are doing. A low blood sugar is dangerous and draining and must be corrected with fast-acting carbs (like sweets, juice etc.) immediately. It is also recommended to eat some slow-acting carbs (like chocolate and ice cream) to prevent repeated hypos later. Of course, some people overdo it (it doesn't help that hypos can cause insatiable food cravings) but don't assume this is the case unless he tells you or you see repeated evidence.
 
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