Who can help with medication at home

[PureBlackVoid]

I look after an elderly relative, who’s eyesight is deteriorating. She is not in a position to need a ‘proper’ carer or to go into a care home, but medication, specifically insulin, is becoming a problem. She needs to give a specific dose twice a day. It has become apparent that she is not giving the correct doses because she can’t see to set it so is basically guessing. I also work full time, so I’m not able to visit twice a day to set the dose for her. I’ve tried a couple of things that haven’t worked so far, like colouring in the line for the correct dose but that is also hit and miss. I also suspect that she may not be injecting properly at times, as recently I noticed the needle was bent and her sugar levels had been extremely high that day so I can only assume she had missed at least one dose.

I’m not sure where to start, or what options (if any) there are for a home visit for someone to specifically administer the insulin twice a day. Other things like shopping, food, financial stuff I deal with and all her other medication is in tablet form so easy for me to sort into pill boxes etc it’s just this one problem with insulin.

It sounds like a care needs assessment might be helpful? Plus also the GP to see if there's any alternatives?

The GP might also be able to refer to the District Nurses.

Would she be open to you taking her to the GP and showing the GP the state of the needle?

Get the gp to refer to Community Nures. She needs supervision.

Hi, this is a very common issue.
Often diabetic specialist will consider newer once daily insulin which can be given by district nurses. GP or diabetic specialist is point of contact.

District nurses. They do stuff like this all the time. Ask her GP for a referral.

diabetestimes.co.uk/novo-nordisk-releases-two-smart-connected-insulin-pens-in-the-uk/

smart pen?

Thanks, I changed the needle for her and got rid of the damaged one but I can explain it to them. I don’t think she’d have a problem with that. She had a diabetic review recently and I mentioned the eye sight being a potential problem but they didn’t suggest there could be anything they could do. But she had an eye appointment a few days later, which they knew about so it’s possible they thought we ought to wait for the outcome of this appointment (the eye appointment has confirmed deterioration so the penny has dropped now, and I think she just hasn’t wanted to face up to the fact up until now)

I need to be careful with how I go about arranging any type of care/assistance. She is very intent on keeping her independence, and her medication is something she is ‘in control’ of.

I’ll contact the gp, I just didn’t know what I was asking for really as I’m not aware of what help is available. What would a care needs assessment involve?

Thanks all missed the last few responses.

FIL had nurse visits twice a day when he wasn't managing his disbetes towards the end.