Seniors and Diabetes Care

seniors and diabetesThere is no reason to beat around the bush or sugar coat it, according to the American Diabetes Association, “As people get older, their risk for type 2 diabetes increases. In fact, in the United States about one in four people over the age of 60 have diabetes.” Until doing research for this post, I had no idea that Diabetes was so rampant in the United States. Given the common nature of the seniors and diabetes, it is appropriate to share some of the American Diabetes Association’s tips for seniors in their Guide to Living Healthy with Diabetes.

While there isn’t currently a cure for diabetes, care for the disease comes down to the trio of diet, exercise and medication. In case you didn’t know, type 2 diabetes relates to the bodies inability to produce or use insulin efficiently, which originates from the use of glucose (broken down sugars) as energy. Therefore, when it comes to diabetes, it is very important to pay special care to your diet – the when, what and how much of the foods you eat. For example, it is important to avoid starchy foods and consume more “fruit, low-fat dairy, and whole grains.” Refer to the guide for more tips for managing your diet, including something called the “plate method” for meal planning.

In reference to diet and exercise, the American Diabetes Association suggests regular exercise if you are overweight, which helps with diabetes care. While only healthy methods of weight loss are encouraged, even the smallest effort can be helpful. As with all diseases, it is important to take all prescribed medicines and attend all care appointments. Be honest with home health nurses or doctors if you are having trouble with management. When traveling, be sure to have back ups for insulin and other prescriptions and have a diabetes identification bracelet or necklace in case you need emergency care.

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes can lead to other issues such as “eye, kidney, nerve, and foot disorders” as well as “high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, and other serious conditions.” As with all medical care, education is the best way to equip yourself for the treatment and care of diseases such as diabetes. If needed, contact a home health care professional to assist you with the management of your diabetes. If necessary, house calls from therapy nurses or home health professionals can be scheduled to maintain your blood sugar.

Source:

1American Diabetes Association (2013). Living Healthy with Diabetes. American Diabetes Association. Retrieved June 120, 2014 from http://www.diabetes.org