Diabetes and Hospice Care
What to Know About Diabetes and Hospice Care
Diabetes is a widespread condition in the United States. However, most people don’t think about the end stages of the disease. Sadly, caring for a loved one with diabetes in hospice care is an emotional and challenging experience. Family caregivers often have questions about disease management and whether treatments like insulin can continue. At Agape Hospice & Palliative Care, we’re dedicated to helping communities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties understand what hospice entails and how it can help diabetes patients.
How Hospice Works for People With Diabetes
Most people have heard of diabetes—a chronic condition that affects how the body processes blood sugar. While those diagnosed with diabetes can live a relatively normal life with proper management, the disease can progress over time. Poorly managed blood sugar levels can contribute to complications such as nerve damage, heart disease, kidney failure, and more. Ultimately, diabetes may lead to the need for hospice care. If your loved one is approaching the end of their life due to diabetes, hospice offers the following:
A Comforting, Holistic Approach
Hospice care focuses on providing comfort, alleviating pain, and enhancing the quality of life for people with terminal illnesses. The goal shifts from curing or aggressively treating a condition to managing symptoms and prioritizing comfort. Hospice care takes a holistic approach to care, and while physical comfort is certainly important, it also accounts for emotional and spiritual well-being.
Individualized Care Plans
For those who meet the diabetes hospice criteria, this type of care is tailored to their unique needs. Your loved one’s care team, along with the team at Agape, will evaluate their condition and decide what measures should be taken to maximize their comfort.
Family Support
Navigating diabetes and hospice is difficult for patients’ family members, too. Thankfully, you’re never alone during this tough time. When you choose Agape Hospice & Palliative Care, you’ll have access to reliable bereavement support—a safe space where you can ask questions, share concerns, and take time to process change and your grief. Our hospice team is always at your side.
Do Diabetics in Hospice Care Still Get Insulin?
This is a common question we get about diabetes and hospice care—do patients still get insulin treatments? And it makes sense. After all, hospice means an end to curative treatment, and some people might see insulin as just that. However, the answer largely depends on your loved one’s specific circumstances. Some doctors may recommend continuing with insulin, while others might prioritize other concerns. Here is a general guide to whether your loved one will still take insulin:
- If blood sugar levels directly affect comfort: Insulin may still be administered to prevent severe symptoms like extreme fatigue, confusion, or diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition resulting from very high blood sugar).
- If the focus shifts from tight control to symptom management: The hospice team may simplify blood sugar monitoring and decrease insulin treatments to reduce the physical and emotional burden of managing the disease.
What to Expect During the End Stages
Imagining your loved one in the final months of their life is something no one wants to do. Nevertheless, it helps to be prepared as they enter the final stages of the disease. Here’s what to expect from diabetic patients requiring end-of-life care:
- Physical Changes—As diabetes progresses, the body’s metabolism slows down. This natural process often lowers the body’s need for food, which in turn reduces the need for insulin or other medications. You might notice decreased appetite, fatigue, and changes in blood sugar levels, all of which can be monitored with in-home hospice care.
- Emotional Needs—Your loved one might have changing emotional needs as they reach the end of their life. Hospice care covers this base, too. Ask the Agape team about pastoral care for your loved one or bereavement support for affected family members.
Your Changing Role as a Caregiver
Family members are essential to any care team, even after their loved one enters hospice. During the end stages of diabetes, your role might include:
- Ensuring your loved one is comfortable and free of issues related to blood sugar levels.
- Staying in communication with hospice staff to understand any changes in treatment or care plans.
- Providing emotional support by spending time with your loved one, even in silence, which can be deeply comforting during their final days.
Agape Is Here to Help
If you’re navigating diabetes and hospice care for a loved one, remember, we’re in this together. The team at Agape Hospice & Palliative Care is proud to have helped so many families in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and we’re here for you as well. Whether you have questions about hospice care for diabetic patients, our team can help. Contact us today for details about our services.