Auburn Hill Senior Living in Midlothian, Virginia

Diabetes Prevention and Control for Seniors Starts With a Plan

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National Diabetes Month in November is a reminder for seniors and elderly who have diabetes to focus on prevention and keeping the disease controlled. Diabetes is caused when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.

With fall in full swing and cooler weather keeping people indoors more, it’s especially a good time to make good practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 were more likely to be readmitted within two months of discharge if they have diabetes or other chronic diseases.

About 37 million people have diabetes In the U.S. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. It’s also linked to some types of cancer.

Three Types of Diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 — The body doesn’t make insulin, which affects 5-10% of people with diabetes.
  • Type 2 — The body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sure at normal levels. This affects about 90-95% of people with diabetes.
  • Gestational diabetes — Develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. Babies could have a higher risk for health problems and women with gestational diabetes may be at risk for type 2 diabetes later in life and the baby may be at risk for obesity and developing type 2 diabetes.

For any type of diabetes, managing the disease is essential to your health. Taking care of your body with diabetes means you have a better chance of preventing health problems related to diabetes such as kidney disease, vision loss, heart disease, and stroke.

Three Keys to Health

Three important ways to take care of yourself are to meet with your health care provider, eat well and exercise.

Your health care team can help you with both your short-term maintenance of diabetes and long-term plan. Be sure to ask questions when you meet with them and take notes.

You’ll want to have your blood pressure checked, have your feet checked, and get weighed. What are your medication options? Are there vaccines or boosters you should have?

Don’t let diabetes overwhelm you. Eating well and exercise can help you manage the disease. Try and be active most days of the week by walking, stretching, swimming, yoga, dance, or other activities.

Then follow a meal plan. Choose fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, tofu, beans, seeds, and non-fat or low-fat milk and cheese.

Another good idea is to eat well and exercise with others. They’ll encourage you! Make sure you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to manage your mood and energy levels.

A CARING-FIRST ENVIRONMENT

Senior living communities like Auburn Hill Senior Living are precisely that—a community. Residents become friends and even family, and a caring team is there to help them maintain their quality of life. 

At Auburn Hill Senior Living, we offer both Assisted Living and Memory Care and we care with Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Residents first and Teamwork. We like to call it Caring with H.E.A.R.T.™!

If you believe a senior living community would benefit your loved one, get in touch with us. Schedule a tour or download a brochure today!