People aged 65 and over are more prone to developing diabetes than younger adults, but there are ways to reduce its risk. If you’re concerned your senior loved one’s lifestyle puts him or her at higher risk for diabetes, here are a few suggestions to keep him or her healthy and prevent the condition.
Encourage Physical Activity
Inactivity leads to a buildup of glucose levels in the body. When glucose is underutilized, the body stores it as fat, which increases the risk of diabetes. To break down glucose, your loved one can perform some low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, and yoga. In addition to helping your loved one stay trim, working out can enhance his or her insulin sensitivity and keep his or her blood pressure in check.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care. Orlando families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Provide Nutritious Meals
Following a clean diet can help your loved one maintain a healthy weight and prevent diabetes. Your loved one should avoid salty, fatty, and processed foods, simple carbohydrates, and fizzy drinks because they’re all high in calories, which can result in drastic weight gain. Too much glucose in the body can also cause issues with digestion like diarrhea and constipation, but consuming vegetables and fruits for fiber, complex carbohydrates, freshly squeezed juices, and seeds can have a positive impact on the digestive system and the entire body as well.
Some seniors need help preparing nutritious meals. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of senior home care. Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Discourage Heavy Alcohol Consumption
Too much alcohol triggers weight gain, which in turn leads to increased chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Excessive alcohol intake also causes chronic pancreatitis, which frequently comes with the major complication of diabetes. However, moderate alcohol intake may increase the efficiency of insulin at getting glucose inside cells. Elderly women shouldn’t have more than one standard drink per day, while elderly men should have two at most.
Attend Regular Checkups Together
It’s easier to work toward preventing a disease than to try to cure it once it has developed. Regular medical checkups on blood sugar and BMI can determine if your loved one has any possible diabetes tendencies. The earlier a diabetes threat is caught, the more favorable the chances of preventing or managing it.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of in-home care Orlando families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Reach out to one of our friendly Care Managers to schedule a free consultation.
