My uncle requires insulin injections 4 times a day. He can no longer do it properly alone. He wants to continue living at home. What kind of caregiver is required to give insulin injections?
How long do you and your wife plan to stay with your uncle during this visit, Bill? I'm just wondering how much you'll reasonably be able to do in the way of assessment and care planning.
I don't know, but I would be surprised if something can't be done about the frequency of injections. Who's in charge of your uncle's px and diabetes care, his PCP or somebody else?
Here (this won't be helpful, I'm afraid, I'm just explaining the approach) our district nurses do "insulin rounds" - they go from house to house taking readings and administering injections and in theory nothing else (though I suspect it's a rare round when no patient asks if they can "just have a quick look at..." 101 other problems).
Since patients themselves and family members can both be readily trained to manage insulin, it would seem odd if there weren't some qualification for home health aides which would allow them to undertake this very common care task; and yet I haven't heard of one.
Have you researched if there is an insulin management service in your uncle's area? There may be.
On your profile page, you mention that there are major decisions ahead: your uncle wishing to stay at home, while you and your wife believe that may not be possible for long. The heart of the matter is your uncle's mental capacity: is he legally competent to make decisions of this kind for himself?
You can give it to him. Ask the doctor if you can be shown the correct way. An aide or CNA cannot give shots. Usually in a facility, its a medtech, LPN or RN by law. But I don't think that those laws apply in a private home. If ur not comfortable doing it, call his PCP and ask if he can have homecare nurse come in. Medicare may cover it or may not. I can't find where they do or don't.
I did them at home for my aunt for several years - 3 times a day. Her doctor wrote prescription for insulin and needles 3 times a day. Very easy to do. I do my own blood checks. I am not insulin dependent.
Actually in most states, whether it be private home or care facilities, properly trained health aids and CNAs can administer medication including giving insulin shots. You don’t need a nurse to come out to the house and it’s highly unlike that any insurance would send one 4 times a day. You are in California and....caregivers and CNA can give insulin. If he’s low income and qualifies for medi-cal, maybe he can get IHSS in home support services. That program also allows caregivers to administer insulin.
Just read your profile and it says your uncle is in Florida which practically the only state that does not allow home health workers to administer medication under any circumstance, trained or not trained. If he can’t take care of himself, he’ll have to go to a nursing home unless he’s got family willing to step up.
That would be way too complicated for this gentleman. The pump alarms a lot for high and low blood sugar, some patients pre count their carb intake enter the grams anticipated and give the insulin dose according to carbs, the insulin cartridge must be changed. I’m not sure a 104 y/o could do that especially living alone. The pump also has a catheter with a needle as the insulin is pumped through subcutaneously. The pump is great, but one has to be tech savvy & very committed to learning the in’s and outs of the pump including how to prime, operate and troubleshoot it.
As per JoAnn’s reply, you or any semi adult family member can get taught to do it and you can give it yourself. It’s not too difficult once you’ve done it several times.
I don't know, but I would be surprised if something can't be done about the frequency of injections. Who's in charge of your uncle's px and diabetes care, his PCP or somebody else?
Here (this won't be helpful, I'm afraid, I'm just explaining the approach) our district nurses do "insulin rounds" - they go from house to house taking readings and administering injections and in theory nothing else (though I suspect it's a rare round when no patient asks if they can "just have a quick look at..." 101 other problems).
Since patients themselves and family members can both be readily trained to manage insulin, it would seem odd if there weren't some qualification for home health aides which would allow them to undertake this very common care task; and yet I haven't heard of one.
Have you researched if there is an insulin management service in your uncle's area? There may be.
On your profile page, you mention that there are major decisions ahead: your uncle wishing to stay at home, while you and your wife believe that may not be possible for long. The heart of the matter is your uncle's mental capacity: is he legally competent to make decisions of this kind for himself?
The pump is great, but one has to be tech savvy & very committed to learning the in’s and outs of the pump including how to prime, operate and troubleshoot it.