A new report has revealed that poor training and screening sees one care home resident with diabetes admitted to hospital every 25 minutes.
The Diabetes UK report found that 60% of care homes with diabetic patients in England do not train their staff on the condition.
The report – titled Diabetes in Care Homes: Awareness, Screening, Training – also showed that new residents were screened for diabetes at just 23% of care homes.
Furthermore, just 28% conducted screenings of patients each year.
Taking the missed screening into account, it is thought that around 13,500 people living in care homes could have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Basic training for care home staff should include how to identify symptoms, recognise and treat hypoglycaemia (‘hypos’), measure and monitor blood glucose levels, administer insulin safely, and understand the importance of dietary timings and requirements as well as regular physical activity.
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The NCC Home Learning’s Diabetes Care for the Elderly course can be taken by anyone wanting to improve their knowledge of Diabetes and is ideal for those working in a care environment who need to be aware of the signs, symptoms, treatment and prevention of diabetes.
We currently have a fantastic offer of 3 for 2 on our Health and Social Care courses. Buy any 2 Health and Social care courses and you will receive a third absolutely free! Visit our 3 for 2 Health and Social Care Faculty for further information on available courses.
Nick Cooper
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