“Mama, I finally bought the diabetes socks! Please let me inspect your feet before you fit them…” The Diabetes Nurse Educator had said it was important to periodically inspect mama’s feet for any sores, injuries, or infections and report to the clinic if any were found. Being diabetic, she was at risk of loss of sensation in her feet (I think she called it neuro-something), which could lead to injuries that may not heal.
My mother is 72 years old; she is quite set in her ways and can be tough to persuade about any health management endeavor (she frequently claims she does not want to squander our money at her age). She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes thirteen years ago. We didn’t believe it was a huge concern until something happened that caused a major scare.
We had all left our widowed mother in Enugu in pursuit of better opportunities in Lagos. We were unable to check in on her on a regular basis due to the hustle and bustle of Lagos. This, combined with her attitude toward modern health management, nearly lost us her right foot. She had a wound on her foot that was slowly healing, so she started dipping it into prayer water, thinking it would go away. This was when we didn’t have adequate knowledge on diabetes management.
Her pastor told us about a diabetic control clinic in Enugu, so we decided to take her there during our December visit. The doctor and DNE were concerned about her high HbA1C (average blood glucose (sugar) levels over the previous two to three months) and had to act fast to avoid her right foot from being amputated.
Armed with fresh information and knowing Mama’s preference for Oyibo treatment, we decided to bring her to live with us; fortunately, the clinic has a branch in Lagos. We took turns accompanying Mama to the clinic for her visits and diabetes lectures. We learned a lot in those classes. My main point was that I might also be at risk and needed to check my blood sugar sometimes when I check my mum’s, eat healthily and exercise regularly.
The DNEs would always follow up regularly to ensure that the treatment schedule was followed, as we all agreed on treatment objectives. Following the diabetes (sugar) sessions, I was assigned as Mama’s “Sugar Police” (something to demonstrate that caregivers successfully finished the training). After morning devotion, we would go for a 30-minute stroll around the estate, followed by another 15 minutes in the evening. We learned about the necessity of exercise at one of the clinic’s sugar seminars. She always looked forward to the walks because they were her sole opportunity to taunt me about still being unmarried.
I also had to make sure she practiced self-testing, followed her diet plan, and took her prescriptions even when I wasn’t home. I wasn’t going back on the treatment goals we all agreed on at the clinic, especially after seeing how her mood had risen when she exceeded last quarter’s targets. We were very proud of her and organized a reunion celebration for her and her pals in Lagos. We were surprised to see Mama become a diabetic peer educator.
She is still on her way to full blood glucose control. However, we realized Mama was doing well because we decided to devote time in understanding what she is going through and how we might help her on the journey in self-management.
Getting to this point was straightforward for us: get the correct education, know what the right food is for her, understand what the meds do and how they operate, and recognize the need of physical activity in her health. The shocking part is that these lifestyle changes apply to me as well. It has really aided my ability to better manage my own health, as I occasionally eat the same meals as my mother. As a result of this collaborative management, my mother and I have a stronger bond and argue less these days (except our debate about my singlehood).
I can personally attest to the benefits of family support in diabetes treatment, particularly for older people like my mother.
My brothers would frequently bring their children on weekends to join Mama in her fitness routine (which recently included dance). The routines and protocols may become too difficult for them to follow on their own, and they will require assistance.
We are now advocates for diabetes education, and we have discovered that family support is essential in managing diabetes.
Aside from the online learning and diabetes classes we attended, we joined a group that has helped to clarify myths about diabetes while also enlightening us on creative methods to make diabetes management more enjoyable and less unpleasant.
