Managing Diabetes As You Age: Care That You Should Take

Diabetes is an acute  disease that can affect anyone at any age. Usually, a person is diagnosed with diabetes when their body is unable to make enough insulin, use insulin the right way or both. That  causes too much glucose to stay in the blood, leading to diabetes. But the good news is that you can manage and keep your diabetes under control and live a healthy life, whether in your 20s or 60s.

Managing Diabetes in the Elderly: Care Tips

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with diabetes, this blog will help you understand the care required to keep it under control.

Under the age of 25 

It’s a widespread misconception that diabetes primarily affects older folk. . Diabetes can occur at any age. Various studies show that type-2 diabetes is becoming very common in young adults. It is more damaging in young adults under the age of 25 compared to older adults. They are at a higher risk of medical complications such as kidney failure and heart disease. It can also impact their daily life, leading to a loss of productivity, eventually hampering their career growth. Since the leading causes of diabetes among adults under 25 are hereditary factors, sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise and unhealthy dietary choices, experts recommend making a few healthy choices.

Ways to manage your diabetes

1. Make a conscious choice to reduce high-fat and high-calorie foods.
2. Including physical activity in your daily routine will make a huge difference.
3. Get adequate sleep, as less sleep can make it harder to manage your diabetes. It will only increase insulin resistance and make you wake up hungrier the next day.
4. Your health professional can recommend more lifestyle changes depending on your lifestyle. 

In your 30s and above

Both men and women in this age group have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which further leads to complications that include cardiovascular diseases. Most often than not, people have experienced no symptoms at all, which is why their diabetes is diagnosed later. That  causes more complications. While various reasons cause people to develop diabetes, individuals from this age group develop diabetes because of an unhealthy lifestyle that they have had since childhood or as young adults. 

Ways to manage your diabetes

1. Early screening is crucial to identify diabetes and any further health complications.
2. Individuals should be more aware of their lifestyle choices and make changes as necessary. For instance, try understanding how to manage stress levels, eat a nutritious and balanced diet, quit smoking, and reduce alcohol intake.
3. You can keep a daily log to understand what is helping or spiking your blood sugar levels.

In older people

Diabetes is an illness that can be harmful at any age, but it is more problematic in cases of seniors.. The elderly have more health conditions and can overlap with one another. For example, seniors diagnosed with diabetes have higher chances of being diagnosed with depression or cognitive impairment. Having a few other health conditions only makes managing diabetes challenging among seniors.

Ways to manage your diabetes

1. Tracking your blood sugar is a no-brainer.
2. Have a diet in place,
3. Make exercise a part of your daily life, walking or aerobics.
4. Take your medicines even when you are feeling fine.
5. Schedule regular health check-ups.
6. Get your blood pressure more often.
7. If you are above 65, a yearly flu shot is a must.

It can be challenging to make changes to your life initially, but it will only benefit your health in the long run. The seniors at Primus Senior Living, a gated community senior living in Chennai and Bangalore. have everything taken care of for them. We have healthcare professionals on campus 24/7. Our gourmet chefs ensure to prepare nutritious and well-balanced meals for seniors. We also have a team onboard that ensures the seniors have an active and not a sedentary lifestyle. Contact Primus Senior Living – the best retirement communities in Bangalore and Chennai – to know more about their senior-friendly homes and services.