Pre-diabetes help please

[sausages]

That's ok ...was just an idea.
Our pool is disability friendly, no steps, double sized changing rooms and the classes are held in the shallow end. My granddaughter came with me for the first few weeks.
And another idea....I haven't been but a friend goes to an exercise class for seniors at our local community hall where it is all done sitting down.
Maybe there is something like that in your area?
I think we all need to brain storm in getting your mum moving

Thank you! I will look out for a local chair exercise class...

 

[Pollyanna]

Thank you! I will look out for a local chair exercise class...

My friend saw it advertised in the GP surgery and it is also advertised in the community/parish magazine.

 

[Pollyanna]

Re honey...the best for mum is raw honey

 

[saffron15]

I was shocked when having asked for a diabetes test I was well into it with 69. I hadn't been tested for diabetes for more than 10 years and am slightly jealous when other people get a warning rather than a diagnosis. Does your mum live with you do you keep in very close contact? I would think there are two starting points foods that are good or don't worsen osteoarthritis and food she enjoys then look for portion control or enjoyable substitutes. I very rarely drink at the moment as I have more weight to lose but white wine isn't a problem unless it's very sweet when try slightly drier or limit to one glass. I used to love porridge but haven't tried it since I was diagnosed 7 months ago. I had it made with water a splash of milk then added but no sugar. I keep meaning to make some and test. I now have eggs or full fat Greek or Greek style yoghurt with berries. Sometimes I add seeds or nuts. Swede, butternut squash or celeriac make good alternatives to potatoes or if making mash as half and half. New potatoes aren't as carby as old ones. I do my veg in the microwave. I buy thinly cut smoked salmon with lemon from Marks and Spencers I like it with cream cheese on a slice of bread eg an open sandwich or with salad. Your mums diet seems a very traditional one for her generation and as she is coping with a painful condition it's important she keeps her spirits up. Smaller portions of the carbs and an extra portion of veg should do it. I've eaten shepherds pie since my diagnosis a smaller portion with extra veg.

This GP site has loads of information including on left hand side websites and other info relating to low carb. Eg caldesi moseley and freshwell. They may on their site have useful information about osteoarthritis. It is obviously important your mum continues to enjoy her food. I love fish which like most meat is low carb.

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk

Good luck to both of you.

 

[sausages]

Thank you @saffron15, I'm very close to Mum and see her most days.

this bit: "as she is coping with a painful condition it's important she keeps her spirits up"

This is important as it's all about finding the right balance. Mum's quality of life has reduced drastically in the last few years with the loss of her mobility so I don't want her to be on a very restrictive and miserable diet if it's not entirely necessary. Also, I hate being all naggy and bossy when I see her!
Hopefully just passing on all this helpful info and food ideas will nudge her in the right direction.

 

[sausages]

Re honey...the best for mum is raw honey

This is funny as I keep bees. So we have lots of honey straight from the hive. I always thought honey would be ok as it's not refined sugar so have been advising everyone to replace sugar with local honey. Now finding out from this journey that honey isn't a good option for pre-diabetics!

Completely off topic but, what I do know about honey is:
If you buy it, get it from your local beekeeper instead of the supermarket. Supermarket honeys are mixed with cheap syrup and there is no control or testing to prevent this. (labelling often says 'a mix of EU and non-EU honey' the non-eu honey is going to be syrup that has been imported from China. There is lots of info about this online eg:[https://www.theguardian.com/busines...o-you-know-what-is-in-that-cheap-jar-of-honey]

Trading Standards say that the term 'raw' isn't allowed on honey labels. So not many beekeepers will use this, but if you're buying from your local beekeeper it will be the good stuff.

 

[Pollyanna]

I too am a bee keeper though I only keep a couple of hives these days
I've given up many things since being diagnosed but honey...no chance, don't have as much but it is important to me.
Sainsbury's do a raw honey, I was surprised to see it labeled as such; Odysea pine and fir greek raw honey. I bought a jar and it does taste good.
It's good in the sense it has less carbs and includes pollen with all the benefits that brings...but that's just my opinion

 

[Leadinglights]

This is funny as I keep bees. So we have lots of honey straight from the hive. I always thought honey would be ok as it's not refined sugar so have been advising everyone to replace sugar with local honey. Now finding out from this journey that honey isn't a good option for pre-diabetics!

Completely off topic but, what I do know about honey is:
If you buy it, get it from your local beekeeper instead of the supermarket. Supermarket honeys are mixed with cheap syrup and there is no control or testing to prevent this. (labelling often says 'a mix of EU and non-EU honey' the non-eu honey is going to be syrup that has been imported from China. There is lots of info about this online eg:[https://www.theguardian.com/busines...o-you-know-what-is-in-that-cheap-jar-of-honey]

Trading Standards say that the term 'raw' isn't allowed on honey labels. So not many beekeepers will use this, but if you're buying from your local beekeeper it will be the good stuff.

With things like honey it all comes down to quantity and how often. 1 teaspoon of honey is about the same as 1 teaspoon sugar so about 5g carbs but it is more what it is put on which will have more impact being much higher in carbs.
I agree her quality of life is important at her age.
If she likes her cakes and biscuits there are some simple recipes on the website sugarfreelondoner which may suit but just be cautious with too much artificial sweetener as they can give people a stomach upset if too much is used.

 

[trophywench]

Your mum's GP surgery know very well how old she is and that she has restricted mobility. I think you ought to ring them and say that you are her carer, cos it sounds to me that you are exactly that, even if your mother doesn't admit that or tell anyone that you are. Are you also next of kin?

Then, ask them for her HbA1c test result which led to the advice that she is pre diabetic
'because I'm the one who's trying to see that she now eats healthily for this as well as generally and I'd like to know her starting point so she and I can compare her next result to see if what we have done from now is helping or not'

Is she able to access the internet herself - in which case is she registered on the NHS App? since all test results from English GP surgeries, appear on it, so you could ask her to show you on whatever device she uses for the internet. I know parents can register to get their children's results and order their prescriptions etc but you do need to know their NHS number to get on there.

 

[sausages]

Your mum's GP surgery know very well how old she is and that she has restricted mobility. I think you ought to ring them and say that you are her carer, cos it sounds to me that you are exactly that, even if your mother doesn't admit that or tell anyone that you are. Are you also next of kin?

Then, ask them for her HbA1c test result which led to the advice that she is pre diabetic
'because I'm the one who's trying to see that she now eats healthily for this as well as generally and I'd like to know her starting point so she and I can compare her next result to see if what we have done from now is helping or not'

Is she able to access the internet herself - in which case is she registered on the NHS App? since all test results from English GP surgeries, appear on it, so you could ask her to show you on whatever device she uses for the internet. I know parents can register to get their children's results and order their prescriptions etc but you do need to know their NHS number to get on there.

Good thinking! I will do this and get her to register for the NHS app.

 

[silver minion]

Thank you! I will look out for a local chair exercise class...

A friend of mine in her late seventies has Parkinsonism and generally poor mobility. She does a Tai Chi class with me, but she can do the exercises seated and the tutor adapts arm movements to accommodate upper body mobility issues. My friend also does a seated exercise class in a nearby village which she enjoys. Lots of people around her age so she finds it very sociable.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @sausages

Sorry to hear about your Mum being told that she is at risk of diabetes.

We’ve had lots of members over the years who have been given the same news (at all different seasons of life), and have successfully been able to turn things around and steer away from a diabetes diagnosis.

For some a few relatively modest tweaks and changes to their menu, while others decide to opt for more significant changes.

I absolutely agree that any possible changes do need to be balanced with your Mum’s quality of life.

Nice have developed this decision aid for people with a full diagnosis of diabetes who are trying to personalise their treatment plan, and HbA1c target. While it wasn’t really developed with being ‘at risk’ in mind, but it might help you both explore the options of more significant vs less significant changes?

J

Thread 'NICE Personalised HbA1c Decision Making Guide'

Feb 6, 2025

I thought it would be interesting to have a discussion about the Nice Patient Decision Aid for Diabetes Type 2. We all have to make our own decisions at any age whether we are 20+, 40+ or 80+.



A higher HbA1c target may be better
Thinking about my age and my health overall, my quality of life in the shorter term is more important to me

A lower HbA1c target may be better
Thinking about my age and my health overall, my quality of life in the long term is important to me

Irrespective of the other four statements, I targeted HbA1c in the normal range, 32-38.

Take...

• JITR
• Replies: 2
• Forum: General Message Board

 

[Docb]

Hi @sausages. A couple of thoughts for you.

I take the view that once you get to our age (that is your mum's and my age) it is best to treat an Hba1c in the "at risk" range with a measure of pragmatism, something to keep an eye on and not something to "be concerned" about. To me, it is part of getting older and things are beginning to wear out. She should not be getting any of the annoying short symptoms of high blood glucose levels and the risk of problems from other sources are likely to be more significant than the long term risks from blood glucose in the at risk category.

My second point is that if you want to be recognised as your mothers carer then your best route is to look up carer services for your local council and take it from there. Carer services are a bit of a post code lottery but you should at least get into the system and get registered with your mothers GP. That might help with you assisting in her interaction with her GP.

 

[sausages]

Thank you @everydayupsanddowns that is helpful.
and thank you @Docb it is really good to hear from your perspective.

 

[Docb]

No problem @sausages. Regulars on the forum will know that I often try and put a "wrinkly" perspective on things if only to get those new to diabetes management to look at the whole picture and work out a plan that takes everything into account, including the idea that as you get older, you generally want to keep things simple.

I am also a carer (not of somebody with diabetes) and I volunteer for the charity that supports carers in our area. Hence my thought about looking at carer support in your area as a means of helping you help your mother. People tend to think of carers as somebody who provides for somebody who is completely helpless and needs constant attention. The reality is that the vast majority of carers are people who give their time to help somebody cope with everyday living. They are mostly parents, spouses, sons, daughters or siblings of the person being cared for. Popping round daily to check on your mother and helping her to manage things like a medical diagnosis would likely bring you into the carer category.

 

[sausages]

I am also a carer (not of somebody with diabetes) and I volunteer for the charity that supports carers in our area. Hence my thought about looking at carer support in your area as a means of helping you help your mother. People tend to think of carers as somebody who provides for somebody who is completely helpless and needs constant attention. The reality is that the vast majority of carers are people who give their time to help somebody cope with everyday living. They are mostly parents, spouses, sons, daughters or siblings of the person being cared for. Popping round daily to check on your mother and helping her to manage things like a medical diagnosis would likely bring you into the carer category.

This is really interesting and I hadn't realised it worked like that. I will look into it.

 

[saffron15]

@sausages you appear very switched on but as far as carers are concerned I remember when our late Dad had a mini stroke and was diagnosed with dementia. He was able to wash and dress himself and enjoyed his food. He had coped well when Mum had died. We eventually discovered he was entitled to I think it was £90 per week because of his health and my sister claimed the smaller sum available to carers which also paid her NI stamp. He also stopped counting for Council tax. One of my work colleagues reduced her hours to help her mother but I think then there was a ceiling on the hours you could work and claim so her sister in law who was looking after young children claimed it for doing the clothes washing and calling in regularly. My colleagues brother worked for the DHSS and was a useful source of information,For Dad my sister got third party access to his banking. We also got the very useful blue badge. Dad was reasonably mobile but if either of us took him out on our own we didn't want to leave him whilst we parked the car.

I have recently signed powers of attorney one for finance and one for health for my best friend her husband and their 20 something daughter. It is something i havent done .. yet.
.

 

[sheridan]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I too am a carer for my elderly Mum (91) who has been in the diabetic range, albeit around the lower end, for a number of years now, and has also developed other medical conditions that make mobility a challenge for her at times. She also has very traditional tastes, i.e. meat and 2 veg, so changing her diet has always been a struggle, even when she was able to cook for herself and my Dad. Having taken over the cooking over the last few of years, and being diagnosed with Type 2 myself two years ago I have tried to change her diet slightly to bring both our levels down so I appreciate the struggle you're having with her meals. We had managed to get her level to down to 46 at her HbA1c test two years ago, but the last test she had at the end of last year came back at 50 mmol/mol. This concerned me and at her Diabetes Review with the Nurse I voiced my concerns about it going up again, but was told that at my Mum's age they were happy with the figure and it was okay for someone her age. My Mum's (and my) downfall is biscuits and cake, but the odd treat or two may mess with her blood/glucose levels but I personally think her quality of life is slightly more important at her age.

A few years back I asked my Mum if she minded me contacting her Health Centre so that I could talk to them directly about her health and care, so a letter to her Doctor, as requested, and signed by my Mum was put on her records along with my mobile as the main point of contact eg for appointments and text messages. If your Mum is happy to do so, sign up to the NHS App, which you can also access via a computer, so that she or you can log-in and check on her HbA1c results and more. If you're not already registered with the App, your Mum's Health Centre may need to give you access. The other thing I did was to sign up to my regional carers group (ask the Health Centre for contact details). With Devon Carers I got a card that I carry with me in my phone case so that if I have any problems speaking with anyone about my Mum's care I can show them the card to let them know they can talk to me. There's also some other benefits, including free or cheap access to local attractions, social events just for carers and if ever needed, the emergency services can see I'm a carer, contact Devon Carers who can take appropriate action with regards to my Mum.

You mentioned a 14 week course in your initial post. I wondered if you'd thought of asking if you can take the course instead of your Mum? Whether you realise it or not you are a Carer and as such you should have access to these courses. The main Diabetes UK website has a great learning resource with lots of information and videos from experts and people living with diabetes. The NHS also have a free course, which can be found here

Healthy Living

Healthy Living is a free online NHS service for people living with type 2 diabetes. It provides knowledge and information that will support you to manage your condition.

healthyliving.nhs.uk

it's free to sign up to and like Diabetes UK you can work through it at your own pace.

Remember, you've got this

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I too am a carer for my elderly Mum (91) who has been in the diabetic range, albeit around the lower end, for a number of years now, and has also developed other medical conditions that make mobility a challenge for her at times. She also has very traditional tastes, i.e. meat and 2 veg, so changing her diet has always been a struggle, even when she was able to cook for herself and my Dad. Having taken over the cooking over the last few of years, and being diagnosed with Type 2 myself two years ago I have tried to change her diet slightly to bring both our levels down so I appreciate the struggle you're having with her meals. We had managed to get her level to down to 46 at her HbA1c test two years ago, but the last test she had at the end of last year came back at 50 mmol/mol. This concerned me and at her Diabetes Review with the Nurse I voiced my concerns about it going up again, but was told that at my Mum's age they were happy with the figure and it was okay for someone her age. My Mum's (and my) downfall is biscuits and cake, but the odd treat or two may mess with her blood/glucose levels but I personally think her quality of life is slightly more important at her age.

A few years back I asked my Mum if she minded me contacting her Health Centre so that I could talk to them directly about her health and care, so a letter to her Doctor, as requested, and signed by my Mum was put on her records along with my mobile as the main point of contact eg for appointments and text messages. If your Mum is happy to do so, sign up to the NHS App, which you can also access via a computer, so that she or you can log-in and check on her HbA1c results and more. If you're not already registered with the App, your Mum's Health Centre may need to give you access. The other thing I did was to sign up to my regional carers group (ask the Health Centre for contact details). With Devon Carers I got a card that I carry with me in my phone case so that if I have any problems speaking with anyone about my Mum's care I can show them the card to let them know they can talk to me. There's also some other benefits, including free or cheap access to local attractions, social events just for carers and if ever needed, the emergency services can see I'm a carer, contact Devon Carers who can take appropriate action with regards to my Mum.

You mentioned a 14 week course in your initial post. I wondered if you'd thought of asking if you can take the course instead of your Mum? Whether you realise it or not you are a Carer and as such you should have access to these courses. The main Diabetes UK website has a great learning resource with lots of information and videos from experts and people living with diabetes. The NHS also have a free course, which can be found here

Healthy Living

Healthy Living is a free online NHS service for people living with type 2 diabetes. It provides knowledge and information that will support you to manage your condition.

healthyliving.nhs.uk

it's free to sign up to and like Diabetes UK you can work through it at your own pace.

Remember, you've got this

Since you both like your cakes and biscuits some of the easy to make recipes for low carb ones on the website sugarfreelondoner might satisfy.

 

[sheridan]

Since you both like your cakes and biscuits some of the easy to make recipes for low carb ones on the website sugarfreelondoner might satisfy.

That’s good to know, I’ll have a go at some over weekend. Thanks