Home Decorating Ideas - Gift Ideas for Dads with Diabetes

(ARA) - Nearly 6 million men over the age of 20 have diabetes in the United States. If your dad is one of them, here are some gift ideas that will be much more useful and appreciated than another tie.

1. Diabetes-friendly cooking -- whip up a healthy meal, or if dad enjoys cooking, treat him to a cookbook and make the meal together. The American Diabetes Association offers many diabetes-healthy cookbooks at http://vgs.diabetes.org/recipe/index.jsp.

2. Upgrade his blood glucose meter -- he’ll appreciate the advanced features of newer meters that allow patients with diabetes to test blood sugar levels faster, with smaller samples and on several different sites. The ACCU-CHEK Compact meter, for instance, allows dad to test faster anytime, anywhere, without handling a test strip again, and results appear in about eight seconds. Visit www.accu-chek.com for a complete selection of blood sugar management tools.

3. Stay fit --research shows that exercise can lower blood sugar levels and improve the body’s ability to use glucose. With regular exercise, the amount of insulin needed decreases. If your father doesn’t belong to a gym yet, give him a membership to his local health club. Or, make a date to take a walk with him two or three times a week.

4. Improve circulation -- a pair of orthopedic socks or slippers can help keep dad’s circulation flowing and avoid diabetes-related foot problems.

5. Keep informed -- help dad keep up to date on issues surrounding diabetes with a subscription to a diabetes magazine or free e-newsletters. ACCU-CHEK Care Mail is a great way to stay current on diabetes management and receive helpful tips. Sign dad up at www.accu-chek.com.

6. Give the gift of relaxation -- massages may help decrease stress levels as well as help elevate blood circulation, which helps prevent the possibility of nerve damage in diabetics. Stress reduction techniques have been shown to reduce blood sugar levels to a more healthy range for people with type 2 diabetes. Plus, it just feels good.

7. Keep track of blood sugar -- a handheld electronic device (PDA) with diabetes management software will help dad track trends in his blood sugar levels, which can lead to better control. Of course, it will help also help him keep track of important dates, birthdays and his day-to-day calendar. ACCU-CHEK’s Pocket Compass software sends diabetes information directly from the meter to the PDA, without the use of cables. For more information, visit http://www.accu-chek.com/products/data_pocketcompass.jsp.

8. Get involved -- participate in local runs or walks for diabetes. The ADA and other diabetes organizations host several fundraising event every year. Check with you local chapter to find out when the next event is scheduled and sign up your entire family in honor of dad.

9. Make it personal -- why not splurge for a monogrammed insulin case? Many carrying cases come with different options, so you can choose the one that best fits his lifestyle.

10. Make a donation -- by giving money to a diabetes research organization, you show your commitment to helping not only dad but millions of others affected with the disease as well. Consider groups such as the Joslin Diabetes Center, American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Children with Diabetes.

For more information on dealing with diabetes, visit www.ada.com. For more information on ACCU-CHEK products, visit www.accu-chek.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content