Diabetes and The Elderly

What is Diabetes?


Diabetes comes in three forms, Diabetes 1, Diabetes 2, and Gestational Diabetes which usually occurs in pregnant women and will not be discussed in this article. The first form also known as Diabetes Mellitus is when the pancreas does not produce insulin. This occurs when the body attacks the pancreas with antibodies resulting in its failure of providing insulin. It primarily begins in young children and adults but impacts them for the rest of their lives. Type 2 Diabetes, however, is when the body fails to produce or use insulin effectively. It is the most common type of Diabetes and occurs in middle-aged and older adults. It is crucial to monitor diabetes and receive proper treatment otherwise, serious health issues like heart disease, eye problems, and nerve damage can arise. Currently, there is no cure for Diabetes, but with proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle, one can live a long and happy life.


Symptoms of Diabetes 1


Symptoms of Diabetes 1 have been reported as…


  • Thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Extreme hunger
  • Bed-wetting
  • Mood swings
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Weakness or fatigue


Symptoms of Diabetes 2


Some common symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes include but are not limited to feeling tired, increased hunger or thirst, losing weight without trying, blurred vision, and urinating often. Healing slowly from cuts and bruises or developing skin infections have also been reported. It is very important to get checked regularly for diabetes, especially for seniors as many of them claim that what they are experiencing are just symptoms of “getting old.” On the contrary, these could be signs of a serious and underlying problem.


Testing for Diabetes


Some common blood tests to help diagnose Diabetes include…


  1. Fasting Plasma Glucose Test – Must be taken after having gone without food for at least 8 hours.
  2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test – Taken after fasting overnight and again 2 hours after drinking a surgery drink. (Not given for Type 2 Diabetes.)
  3. A1C Test – Can be given at anytime during the day. Shows the average glucose levels from the past 3 months.
  4. Random Plasma Glucose Test – Given at anytime during the day.


Managing Diabetes


There are a number of ways to help manage diabetes, one of them being a change in lifestyle. For instance, implementing exercise and a healthy diet into one’s daily routine can improve the quality and satisfaction of life. Before starting any diet or fitness regime, it is, however, crucial to meet with healthcare professionals such as doctors, diabetes educators, dietitians, and fitness coaches. Furthermore, the right medication also plays a significant role in managing diabetes. Insulin injections, diabetes pills, and other medications helping with high blood pressure and cholesterol might be prescribed. Usually, once a patient has been diagnosed with diabetes, a healthcare team creates a diabetes management plan specifically for that person. The plan is based on health goals, lifestyle preferences, and other health conditions present. Some things that the diabetes management plan covers and teaches are things like: how to track your glucose levels, make healthy food choices, be active, and take your medications.

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Finally, Thanksgiving is upon us! A time filled with friends, family, great food, and laughter. However, one thing that makes this holiday different from other American holidays is its emphasis on gratefulness. Thanksgiving is all about appreciating those around us and being grateful for the things we have, aside from its historical significance of course. Whether you are a caregiver, a family member, or a friend, the holidays provide a great opportunity to keep your relationship with a senior strong. Here are a few fun activities for family members and seniors to participate in: Baking This is a great activity for seniors as well as the whole family, especially since food is a staple at Thanksgiving. Some things worth baking during this season are things like pumpkin pie, apple pie, cheesecake, or simple things like chocolate-chip cookies. The children can also join, helping bake the cookies and then decorating them. For healthier baked goods, one can look online or ask the senior for some dessert recipes. What would make the senior happier than baking something from their childhood? Relive Moments Through Scrapbooking If you have a pile of photographs that you’ve been saving, now is the perfect time to bring them out! This is also a great activity for seniors with Alzheimer’s as a photograph and recalling when it was snapped might jog their memory. Decorating the scrapbook with stickers and other items might even invite the kids to join in as well. Later on, the kids will inherit the scrapbooks and be able to look back on the great memories they’ve made. Holiday Decorating Decorating the house for the holidays is another festive activity which seniors can most definitely participate in. Put out some cinnamon-scented pine cones or even some autumn colored trinkets to the space. Go outside and collect some beautiful fall-time leaves which have fallen down. Another great idea is taking the senior to a pumpkin patch and picking out some pumpkins to decorate the front of the house. Shopping Many might overlook this festive activity, however seniors can be brought along to help with the Thanksgiving shopping list. Not only will they be great company, but they might also provide some tips for which items to purchase. Have the senior hold the shopping list and keep track of all the items you buy, this will ensure that nothing is forgotten. After that, have the senior pick a place where they would like to eat and thank them for their help.
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