Diabetes is a common health condition that’s often diagnosed in the senior years. Older adults who have had diabetes for years might find it difficult to control as they age. Having diabetes increases a senior’s risk of having a stroke for several reasons, but there are things you can do to prevent changes in your senior loved one’s blood sugar levels from having a serious impact on his or her health.
Understand How Diabetes Affects the Body
The body breaks food down into glucose, or sugar, which it uses for energy. In response to this, the pancreas releases a special hormone called insulin that helps the body use the glucose properly. For some people, insulin isn’t released in the right amounts, or their bodies’ cells might not use it correctly. When this happens, excess sugar can build up in the bloodstream and begin to cause problems with the blood vessels, such as stiffened walls and extra fat deposits. If the problem becomes severe enough, blood clots can develop that get stuck in the brain and cause a stroke.
Find Out if Your Loved One Is at Risk for Both Conditions
In addition to understanding the damage excessive levels of blood sugar cause, you should also know that diabetes and strokes have similar risk factors. For example, seniors are more likely to develop either condition if they’re obese, have high blood pressure, or eat an unhealthy diet. If you’re unsure if your loved one has diabetes, a physician can find out with a simple test. Your loved one can also begin to get better control over his or her health by choosing to do what he or she can to reduce the risk factors.
If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of elder care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
Learn How to Manage Diabetes
Being newly diagnosed with diabetes often comes with a learning curve. Over time, your loved one will get to know how his or her body responds to certain foods, levels of physical activity, and stress. At first, you’ll likely need to work closely with your loved one’s doctor to find out the best ways to keep your loved one’s blood sugar under control. For example, your loved one might need to use medication to manage diabetes, and he or she might need reminders to take it on time. The physician will also likely recommend following a diabetes-friendly diet plan that reduces how much sugar goes into the body.
Having excessive blood sugar levels can adversely affect your loved one’s health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional homecare services. Rocklin, California, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Focus on Making Other Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Seniors sometimes find they need to take extra care to prevent their blood sugar levels from fluctuating too much. For example, you might find that your loved one’s blood sugar levels swing more wildly when he or she is stressed or ill. These same experiences can also increase the risk of stroke due to changes in blood pressure. Choosing to find ways to relieve stress at home and prevent illness can further help your loved one avoid having a stroke.
Seniors living with serious health conditions often need extensive assistance in and outside the home. Home Care Assistance is a trusted provider of Rocklin live-in care. Our caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and various other daily tasks, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Call one of our friendly Care Managers at (916) 226-3737 to schedule a free consultation.