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Elderly parents
Original poster

Dad is losing his sight and not injecting his insulin properly........

18 replies

BoodleBug51 · 21/01/2022 18:45

He's 82, and an insulin dependent T2 diabetic. He injects about 4 times a day usually and then once before bed. His blood sugars are all over the place at the moment, and he's broken 2 insulin pens as he's not using them properly due to his failing eyesight. He also uses injectable Methotrexate once a week for his rheumatoid arthritis, and when I checked the pen last week it was still full...... hence he'd had a week of awful pain.

He's entirely resistant to involving his GP (stubborn as they come) but I'm worried sick. I work full time about 20 miles away and just can't go in to do it for him......... has anyone else had a similar issue with injections?

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 21/01/2022 18:48

If his eyesight is that bad then I suspect the time for him living alone is coming to an end.

HeatonGrove · 21/01/2022 18:49

You need to conatct his GP.

Surgery will be able to arrange visits from District Nurse - up to four calls a day.

Musicaltheatremum · 22/01/2022 18:51

They need to review his insulin dosing. They could change the insulin and the times per day. I would phone his GP and talk about it and say he is resistant. As a GP I would find and excuse to bring it up with him and not make you the "bad child" in his eyes! 🤣

MrBlobbyLivesNextDoor · 22/01/2022 18:53

The district nurse will need to go in and administer it if he can't do it himself.

FelicityBeedle · 22/01/2022 18:54

Why is his eyesight failing? Something fixable or glaucoma ? I agree getting in touch with his GP

FlowerArranger · 22/01/2022 18:57

@FelicityBeedle

Why is his eyesight failing? Something fixable or glaucoma ? I agree getting in touch with his GP
Because his diabetes us not controlled. ..
FelicityBeedle · 22/01/2022 19:29

@FlowerArranger
I read the OP as saying his sugars are uncontrolled because his eyesight is failing. Not that his eyesight is failing because of his diabetes (although they’re probably linked, hence asking about glaucoma)

Beamur · 22/01/2022 19:34

Definitely see if the District Nurses can help. They are fantastic where I live.

Irridescantshimmmer · 22/01/2022 20:16

Your Dad's insulin pen clicks for every unit of insulin or for every half unit of insulin he dials up. He just needs to slowly count the clicks as he moves the dial at the end of the pen to set the right dose prior to his injections.

This is what I have to do as its also fail safe way of making sure I get the right dose(s).

Insulin pens have been designed to click to enable folks with diabetes who are sight impaired the ability to safely administer their own insulin.

I have been diabetic (T1) for the past 39 years diagnosed in childhood aged 9. Your dad will feel better when he gets the right doses hope this helps.

Original poster
BoodleBug51 · 22/01/2022 20:18

Thanks all. He's had diabetic retinopathy for years, and had cataracts removed about 4 years ago which didn't go well. He has always controlled his diabetes well until around 12 months ago when his sight really started to fail......... he didn't have any check ups for nearly 18 months due to Covid, and when he went a few months ago, the news wasn't good.

I will try the GP on Monday, and as he today admitted having a massive hypo in the night, I'm going to try and sort out some sort of lifeline pendant too....... he said he couldn't phone as he couldn't see well enough.

He also doesn't help his blood sugars with his alcohol intake but that's a whole other story Sad

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 22/01/2022 20:29

My mum had the district nurses doing her insulin when she could no longer self inject, though she was on a long acting so only once a day. They did that and any other health care things she needed like dressings for years

RagzRebooted · 22/01/2022 20:34

GP should be able to consider moving him to a longer acting insulin and possibly ask District nurse to visit and give it if he can't manage.
Alcohol really will make his levels worse because it disrupts normal glucose and insulin stuff with the liver.

Cheekypeach · 22/01/2022 20:35

You can get a 24 hour insulin called Tresiba - I’m not sure whether it’s suitable for your dad but I used to take it. Not being able to see enough to correctly dose insulin is a real worry. I would look into a carer or nurse who could visit to assist him.

pinguwings · 23/01/2022 08:42

He should have a diabetes nurse specialist who should be able to advise if you get his permission to contact.

Are you sure it's just sight or is there also some mental deterioration?

I would be really frank with your dad about this. If he's not able to control his diabetes he's at real risk of serious harm. Spell it out to him that you don't want to find him on the floor and not be able to wake him up.

In the mean time have a look at a hands free magnifying glass.

beautifullymad · 23/01/2022 09:30

Can you ask your dad to sign consent forms at the surgery (you'll have to help him). Then you can liaise directly with health care for him.
I did this with my mum and it's made sorting out health problems so much easier.
It gives permission on file for the health care professional to discuss their medical issues directly with you.
Otherwise no one is allowed to speak to you.

Beamur · 23/01/2022 12:40

@beautifullymad

Can you ask your dad to sign consent forms at the surgery (you'll have to help him). Then you can liaise directly with health care for him. I did this with my mum and it's made sorting out health problems so much easier. It gives permission on file for the health care professional to discuss their medical issues directly with you. Otherwise no one is allowed to speak to you.
This is pretty useful. I had this with my Mum too.
AnnaMagnani · 23/01/2022 12:43

Gp and diabetes nurse - he probably needs the district nurses to do it for him and a review of what insulin he is on to make his regime a lot easier and more appropriate to his needs to prioritize avoiding hypos.

Original poster
BoodleBug51 · 23/01/2022 18:41

That's a great idea about the consent forms, I'll try and ask him when he's in the right frame of mind.

I tried to bring it all up today with my eldest DD (he adores her), but he wasn't having a bar of any of it.

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