Understanding Diabetes in Seniors
By Ewa Frydel, Owner
As a family caregiver or a person concerned with aging family members, you have a duty to learn about seniors' risks.
It’s common knowledge that health issues are more profound as we age, including the risk of diabetes. If you’re unaware of diabetes, it is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes glucose.
Glucose is how we get our energy for daily living. It truly plays a vital role in how we get through life. Without healthful processing, our days can become rather difficult.
Imagine a senior living with diabetes and having an impairment with processing this energy source.
They may already have other chronic conditions or mobility issues, among other health concerns. Adding diabetes to their list of ailments can be disheartening.
Not knowing the causes, symptoms, and treatments can make life that much more difficult for your senior loved one.
Prevent Diabetes First
Many people don’t want to hear this, but if a senior you know is at risk of diabetes, it’s time to make serious lifestyle changes.
There’s a reason why doctors and many health experts prescribe physical activity and healthful eating for prevention of diabetes. Incorporate more plant-based foods into your aging parent’s diet. Consider ways you and your senior can manage a healthy weight with a cleaner diet and exercise that they enjoy. This is a significant factor in reducing your senior’s risk of diabetes.
In addition to adding in exercise and plant-based foods, think of what you can eliminate.
If you’re senior is at risk for diabetes, it’s not a good idea to ignore what could be causing the condition. Look through your senior’s kitchen and eliminate highly processed foods and junk foods. If your senior mom or dad smokes, get them to quit smoking as soon as possible. The same goes for alcohol, which has an effect on our body’s ability to process glucose.
Look for the Symptoms of Diabetes
Symptoms vary for seniors with diabetes. The most common symptoms are:
-Frequent urination
-Excessive thirst
-Fatigue
However, other symptoms can be more uncomfortable like wounds that heal slowly, blurry vision, and tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. Again, these symptoms vary.
Regular checkups with your senior’s doctor is crucial for catching diabetes before it happens, but also for administering the proper treatment for your elderly parent’s individual needs.
If you or your senior notice any of these symptoms don’t just make a guess and try to fix it.
Always seek medical attention immediately.
Early detection is the safest route to take with the possibility of diabetes in an elderly person. It can greatly support diagnosis and treatment in order to slow the progress of diabetes, as well as its complications.
Forms of Treatment for Diabetes
As we mentioned, lifestyle changes with diet and exercise are commonly advised for seniors with diabetes or those who are on the borderline of getting diagnosed.
Some seniors may require medication and in more severe cases, insulin therapy.
A treatment’s purpose is to support balance with glucose levels, keeping it within a healthy range. Like we would do with a blood pressure monitor, the same goes for glucose levels. We will want your senior to monitor their levels as often as prescribed to ensure they are in balance and that numbers look good.
Diabetes is still a concern for many populations throughout the world.
It can affect anyone, anywhere, but there are ways to prevent and treat diabetes for seniors.
Many people with this chronic condition are still living meaningful lives and are able to handle most, if not all, of their daily activities with energy.
With a healthy and active lifestyle, your senior can be on their way to a quality life, even with diabetes.
If you’re at all concerned with your senior’s risk, or notice symptoms, contact medical support immediately. Early detection and treatment can prevent or delay complications of diabetes.
For more information on seniors with diabetes, call on the help of doctors or other healthcare experts. You can also contact us for more resources.
We’re here to help!
Legal Disclaimer
This blog provides general information and discussions about diabetes in the elderly and should not be construed as medical advice.
