Diabetes Awareness for Seniors – Part 1 from Right At Home High Point

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 18.3% (8.6 million) of Americans age 60 and older have diabetes. The prevalence of the disease increases with age; an estimated 50% of all diabetes happens in those aged 55 and older. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes also increases with age.

Seniors face unique diabetes management challenges. For those with type 2 diabetes, age causes a decline in insulin production and an increase in glucose intolerance. Older Americans are also more likely to have complicating conditions such as retinopathy, hypertension, and kidney problems.

Consequences of Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious condition associated with both many complications and earlier death. These complications include blocked arteries, nerve damage, loss of vision, and kidney disease. The rates of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and blindness are up to twice as high in older adults with diabetes.

Older adults with diabetes are also at higher risk of incontinence, falls, frailty, decrease in mental function, and depression. Functional loss and disability is also more common in older adults with diabetes than in those of similar age without diabetes. Older adults with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to have trouble getting around, and 1.5 times more likely to have trouble performing activities of daily living, compared with older adults without diabetes. When diabetes is poorly controlled in older adults, high blood glucose alone can cause fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, and a loss of function.

Of course, not all older adults with diabetes experience these complications and problems. The key to staying healthy and independent for as long as possible is early diagnosis and proper management. You can take control of your diabetes and strongly reduce the chances of developing any complications.

Right At Home High Point can help you keep up with health maintenance and doctor's appointments. If you have questions, concerns or special needs, they are there to help you too.

Source:
HealthinAging.org
DLife.com