A real question from r/diabetes that deserves a real answer. Not generic advice — specific steps.
How am I going to manage my moms diabetes with her having Alzheimer’s? I’m so overwhelmed. She is very difficult and does not eat consistently. She will say she ate and insist even when I know she hasn’t. I’m still not even sure why her A1c is 15. She is at a stage where she is still with it enough to know that her independence is being taken away by no longer being able to drive but her short term memory is not there. I am worried about her accidentally taking too much insulin or not enough. I’m not in a position where I can just quit my job and take care of her full-time. Her muscle mass is nonexistent and her face is sunken in.
Your mom's high A1c and Alzheimer's, along with chronic kidney disease, create a complex situation. Proven systems can help you manage this, though the burden is understandably overwhelming. Seek support to regain control and care for your mom effectively.
I'm so sorry to hear you're dealing with this challenging situation. It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed - managing chronic illness on top of a new Alzheimer's diagnosis is an immense burden. The good news is there are proven systems you can put in place to regain a sense of control. The root cause of this overwhelm is the sheer number of inputs you're now responsible for - doctor's appointments, medication management, lifestyle changes, and more. This "chronic illness cascade" is what our Reality Audit System is designed to address. By getting a clear, comprehensive view of the full scope of your mom's care, you can start to prioritize and systematize the most critical elements. A great first step is to sit down and map out every single aspect of her health - conditions, medications, care providers, daily routines, etc. This gives you the full picture so you can start to identify the high-leverage areas to focus on first. From there, the Cascade Prevention System helps you build rituals and safeguards to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Finally, don't forget to care for yourself as well. The Sustainable Relationship Framework shows how to build a support network of family, friends, and professional caregivers so the responsibility doesn't all fall on you. When you have the right systems and people in place, the day-to-day grind of chronic illness management becomes much more manageable. With the right tools and support, you can absolutely get through this challenging time. Take it one step at a time, celebrate small wins, and know that a brighter future is on the other side.
FREE ACTION PLAN
Drop your email and we'll send you the 7-step action plan from The Chronic Illness Reset free.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.