Diabetic problems are largely preventable with proper diabetes management, including diet, exercise, and carefully monitoring blood sugars. This is where a visiting nurse can assist in preventing these complications. It is important that diabetes management be identified as a concern for the visiting nurse so that maintenance is included in the patient’s plan of care. A diabetes diagnosis is often put on the back burner of elderly care as the focus is placed on other commodities.  The home care nurse can address the issues that can help prevent diabetic foot complications while treating the patient for other health issues.

With adequate diabetes management and these preventative steps, it is possible to avoid the serious  complications that can result from this disease. Even though the nurse may be in the home to provide care for other diagnoses, care for a diabetes diagnosis is also an important part of the nurse’s role.