Learn About Diabetes in the Elderly Today

By Jessica Ott | June 23, 2022 |

Diabetes is a disease that is more common in elderly adults than you might think. If your elderly loved one has this disease, you and their elder care providers probably want to learn more about the condition, so you can better understand what they are going through.

Kinds of Diabetes

Elder Care York PA – Learn About Diabetes in the Elderly Today

There are two different kinds of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when the body doesn’t make insulin. This type of diabetes usually starts during childhood. Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t make or use insulin very well. Most often, this type of diabetes is diagnosed in middle-aged to elderly adults. However, it can affect children, as well.

It is important to know that diabetes can affect various parts of a person’s body such as their eyesight, kidneys, heart, and more.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Your elderly loved one may not be sure if they have diabetes. However, there are some signs of type 2 diabetes they may experience if they do have this condition. If you or elder care providers notice your elderly loved one is:

Feeling tired
Increasingly thirsty or hungry
Losing weight without even trying
Urinating a lot more often than normal
Having blurry vision
Slow to heal from bruises or infections

Be sure to have them see their doctor. It is vital that diabetes is managed as soon as possible. There are far too many other health issues that could occur if there isn’t treatment given.

Diabetes Testing Options

There are different ways that your elderly loved one may need to be tested for diabetes. Some of the options that their doctor may give include:

Plasma glucose test
A1C test
Fasting plasma glucose test
Oral glucose tolerance test

Before a diagnosis is made, your elderly loved one may need to be tested at least twice.

Staying Healthy with Diabetes

If your elderly loved one does have diabetes, there are ways that you and elder care providers can help them to stay healthy including:

Testing and managing their blood pressure
Managing their cholesterol
Remind them not to smoke
Get them in for an annual eye exam
Protect their skin
Get annual vaccinations
Talk to their doctor about any concerns

If you or an elder care provider can help your elderly loved one with these things, it can make a huge difference in their diabetes care and treatment.

Having Elder Care Providers to Observe

Do you suspect that your elderly loved one has diabetes? Are you wondering why they are having all the symptoms they are having? If so, then now would be a good time to have them talk to and see their doctor about receiving testing. There are different types of testing, as you have read above, that may need to be done. If your elderly loved one does have diabetes, it would be a good idea for someone to regularly remind them to get into healthier lifestyle habits such as the ones that were just noted above, as well.

Sources: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/diabetes-older-people

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in York PA, please talk to us. Our friendly staff can answer all of your questions. In-home Senior Care in Adams and York Counties, PA. Call Today: (717) 698-8258.

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Jessica Ott

Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC

Jessica Ott is the Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC.

A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC is dedicated to providing our clients with a better quality of life through our support services while maintaining their independence in the comfort of their own home.

As a Home Care Agency licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, we can provide families with peace of mind, knowing their loved one is in good hands.

We will work with you to prepare a care plan that incorporates your needs, your wishes, and your preferred schedule. Each client is matched with a caregiver who can best meet their individual needs, whether they reside in a house, apartment, condominium, assisted living, or nursing community.