Diabetes is a chronic condition that is common among seniors. Among seniors who have diabetes, many do not manage their diabetes as they should.
The costs of diabetes can be extreme. According to the ADA, the average annual cost of diabetes treatment in 2012 was $16,752 per person. Although some of the costs are covered by health insurance, some people with diabetes pay out of pocket for their treatment.
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of heart disease, eye problems, kidney disease, and nerve damage. They are also at a higher risk of developing infections and other serious illnesses.
With this in mind, we wanted to outline some of the challenges of managing the disease.
The Challenges of Managing the Disease
The challenges of managing diabetes are many. The disease can have a significant impact on your senior’s day-to-day life, and it can be difficult to manage.
- Getting Diagnosed
People may not realize that they have Type 2 diabetes until they have already developed complications.
- Managing Blood Sugar Levels and Blood Pressure
Symptoms can be hard to notice, which is why it is important to monitor your senior’s blood sugar and blood pressure regularly.
- Keep Track of Their Diet
Senior’s living with diabetes have a need for a diet that contains a lot of fiber. The fiber will help to keep their blood sugar levels stable.
- Dealing With The Symptoms of The Disease
For example, people with diabetes may experience blurred vision, erectile dysfunction, and slow healing.
These challenges can be overcome. When the disease is managed properly, people with diabetes can enjoy a healthy and active life.
How to Manage Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious condition. It can have a significant impact on your senior’s health, and it can make their quality of life worse. However, with the right management, diabetes can be managed.
If your senior has diabetes, you should make sure that they are taking their medication and monitoring their blood sugar levels regularly. Keep a log of their blood sugar levels and other symptoms, so that you can easily keep track of your senior’s progress.
Schedule routine doctor visits to monitor your senior’s health and make sure that you are staying on track with your management.
Your senior knows that exercise is important for managing their diabetes. Make sure that your senior knows how to properly exercise.
Encourage them to eat a balanced diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, and other foods that contain a lot of fiber. You should also make sure that they are drinking plenty of water.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why seniors who have diabetes may not manage their diabetes as they should. Sometimes, they may not know how to manage it, in-home care can help them with that.
It is important for seniors who have diabetes to manage diabetes as they should. If they do, they will be able to live a healthy lifestyle and will be able to enjoy their senior years. We offer the best in-home care services available to your senior. Give us a call today!
Sources
https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/cost-diabetes
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7504#symptoms
If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Lodi, CA, please contact the caring staff at Provident Care Home Care today at (209) 578-1210.
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