Tag Archives: senior diabetes

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

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NJ Senior Health

Americans 60 and older have the highest rate of type 2 diabetes among all age groups.  However, before type 2 diabetes occurs, the body develops pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet at the level for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

With pre-diabetes, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but the body cannot use that insulin effectively – a condition called insulin resistance. With this condition, blood sugar gradually increases, often slowly enough that you don’t notice any symptoms.

Common symptoms include feeling tired or ill, unusual thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow-healing wounds. These symptoms happen over time, so many people don’t see them as warning signs.  The American Diabetes Association says one-third of people who have diabetes don’t realize they have the disease.

A Harvard School of Public Health study found that nearly 5,000 people (with an average age of 73) who were less likely to develop diabetes  (a 90 percent lower risk, in fact) had several traits in common. They included the following:

  • were physically active
  • ate more fiber and polyunsaturated fats
  • ate fewer sugars, starches and trans fats
  • didn’t smoke
  • used alcohol moderately
  • maintained a healthy weight

Older adults with pre-diabetes can still prevent full blown diabetes and those that have diabetes can still improve the quality of their lives.  Here’s how:

  • Assuming your doctor says you are overweight, lose 5 to 7 percent of your body weight (which is approximately 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound adult)
  • Participate in physical activity for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Brisk walking will cover this.
  • Eat a healthy diet, limiting calories and fat.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional and reliable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.

Diabetic Seniors Face Serious Health Problems

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Many seniors suffer from type 2 diabetes (which affects about 95% of those with diabetes) and battle to keep it under control.

Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia (excess blood sugar) and insulin resistance (which prevents glucose from entering the cells and, instead, builds it up in the blood).  A diabetic may not show any symptoms for many years.  As a result, many overlook the most common initial symptoms – increased thirst and frequent urination. This a result of excess glucose in the bloodstream sucking water from tissues, thus forcing the body to take in more liquid and, as a result, excrete more fluid.

What Can Be Done?

The single most effective treatment, and best prevention, is gradual and permanent weight loss.   This means eating less and exercising more.

One can start by cutting out desserts and avoiding second portions.  Increase the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains that are high in complex carbohydrates, and decrease the amount of red meat and sugars.  Avoid alcoholic beverages.

It is important to consult a physician about medications, since there can be serious side effects and contraindications.   In addition, seniors with diabetes need to:

  • Have regular blood tests.
  • Have their eyes checked regularly to keep track of diabetic retinopathy.
  • Monitor their weight and blood pressure.
  • Check the health of their feet for any signs of foot ulcers or infections
  • Monitor their levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Conduct regular urine tests to look for any kidney problems
  • Get vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia as a precaution against additional infection
  • Stop smoking
  • Manage stress

New Jersey’s Expert Home Care for Elders and Seniors has been educating diabetic seniors and helping them manage their illness since 1984. Please call us when you need help at 800-848-2336.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, President of Expert Home Care

Diabetes Tips for Seniors in New Jersey

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There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is an insulin deficiency condition that people are born with. Type 2 diabetes develops gradually as a person grows older. It can appear anytime, in anyone. Undetected and untreated, Type 2 diabetes can represent a very serious life-threatening disease.

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way your body uses food. During digestion the body converts food into glucose for energy. To get the glucose into your cells, the body uses a hormone produced by the pancreas gland: insulin.

In those individuals with diabetes, the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas is either absent or too little, or, the body simply doesn’t assimilate it. The result is that digestion creates glucose the body can’t use. The glucose builds up in the blood causing high blood sugar levels, or diabetes.

Fortunately, when diabetes is detected early, it can often be controlled by diet and exercise. In more serious cases, oral medications may be prescribed to reduce the body’s blood sugar level, or insulin injections may be prescribed to boost the body’s ability to assimilate the excess glucose. Untreated, over time diabetes may harm your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and blood vessels.

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to prevent diabetes by eating a healthy diet, controlling your weight and getting regular exercise. Even those who develop diabetes can, with some relatively simple lifestyle changes, keep their blood sugar under tight control and avoid or delay other serious health problems.

The most common warning signs of diabetes are: fatigue, excessive thirst, increased appetite, frequent urination, sores that won’t heal, sexual problems, blurry vision, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms, or has a family history of diabetes, or is significantly overweight, should see their primary health provider and have periodic blood sugar tests performed.

If you are a family member caring for an aging relative living in New Jersey, Expert Home Care can help you keep your senior safe and healthy. Please call us at 800-848-2336.