Diabetes in the Elderly

Diagnosing diabetes in the elderly can be more difficult than it can be with the rest of the population. Urinary incontinence, dry mouth, and symptoms of confusion or other vague signs might be seen in your loved one receiving elder care at home, but those aren’t the “usual” signs one might expect to see in patients with diabetes.

Caregiver in South Jordan UT: Senior Diabetes Tips

Kidneys metabolize blood sugar differently in the elderly and they may become dehydrated or have problems with electrolyte imbalance.

There are other health factors that can make the elderly more prone to problems when dealing with diabetes, such as high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and signs or feelings of depression. You or their caregivers may notice a decline in their ability to perform daily tasks and abilities that they had once performed with ease.

In a study of seniors with diabetes, ⅓ of patients over the age of 70 showed signs of dementia that were correlated with high blood sugars.

Elderly people with diabetes have been shown to also have an increased mortality rate and be more prone to falls caused by low blood sugar issues affecting mobility which can lead to a decline in their quality of life.

Eating proper meals and snacks regularly is also very important to elderly people with diabetes, and seniors with dementia or other cognitive issues are at greater risk for forgetting to do so.

This is a great reason why hiring elder care is so important and invaluable to many families of senior parents.
Professional caregivers can be integral in helping to purchase and prepare healthy foods as well as making sure that your loved ones are eating them at the right times and in the proper portions.

They can also play a role in helping to keep foods out of the house that seniors in elder care with diabetes shouldn’t be eating and to read labels to ensure good nutrition is followed in their care.

Taking their medications at the proper time and in the proper amounts as prescribed is also extremely important for seniors and another way that caregivers can offer assistance.

Hypoglycemia also called low blood glucose or low blood sugar occurs when the level of glucose in the blood drops below normal. Preventing low blood sugar is key to maintaining health and avoiding complications of diabetes in seniors. Tracking blood sugar is always important for people with diabetes.

Older adults with diabetes are at higher risk for cognitive impairments and depression compared with others their age who do not have diabetes. Having depression or cognitive impairment can make diabetes self-care challenging, so it is important for family members and caregivers to watch for signs of depression.

It is imperative that seniors with diabetes get regular physician check-ups and that they stay as active as possible.
Another good tip is to have seniors with diabetes or other major health issues wear an I.D. bracelet, identifying them to authorities or others should there be an emergency situation where they require immediate medical care.

Are you or a loved one considering hiring a Caregiver in South Jordan, UT? Please talk to the friendly staff at December Rose Senior Care at Home. Providing Home Care in Highland, Utah and Surrounding Communities. 801-427-ROSE (7673)

Source:
Thediabetescouncil.com
Niddk.nih.gov
Nia.nih.gov