Diabetes in Elderly

Diabetes in elderly people requires special care as well as attention. Elderly diabetes can be problematic if the patient is not very active. Menu planning for seniors is frequently challenging.

Diagnosis of Diabetes

Elderly diabetes can go undetected unless a patient’s doctor orders blood work. If you have a primary care physician, I’m sure he will order routine blood work. The two tests that you need are: a fasting glucose test and a hemoglobin A1C test. Those two tests together reveal if you are diabetic.

When we are talking about diabetes, old person is anyone over age 65. Doctors usually diagnose type 2 diabetes before age 65. It is a common disease in anyone over age 45. It is especially probable if you are overweight and relatively inactive.

If your fasting blood glucose level is higher than 126 mg/dL, you are diabetic. If your A1C level is above 5.6%, you are diabetic. High glucose numbers are dangerous for you.

Doctors talk about the “silent killers” of diabetes. The disease can ravage you kidneys, your eyesight, your extremities (hands and feet), and your blood pressure.

The complications from diabetes are real. New cases of blindness are usually diabetes patients. The amputation of toes and/or feet usually occurs to diabetes patients.

You may want to read our article about Complications of Diabetes. It is very detailed and informative.

Treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes in elderly patients is very treatable. The first medication choice is likely Metformin. It reduces the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. It is an oral medication taken twice a day.

There are other diabetes medications such as glyburide, Actos and Avandia. They are also oral medications taken once or twice a day.

Once you receive a diagnosis of diabetes, you must learn how to test your blood sugar levels. You will need a glucose meter, glucose test strips, and lancets. You can get all of these supplies at your local pharmacy.

Testing is something you get used to. You prick your finger very gently with a lancet. You put a very small drop of blood on the glucose test strip. The test strips serve two functions. One end turns the meter on. The other end accepts your drop of blood.

You get a reading very quickly – in about 5 seconds. The numbers are measures of milligrams per deciliter of blood - small amounts.

You need to bring your blood sugar numbers to your doctor the next time you see him. He will adjust your medications according to your blood glucose numbers.

It’s easy to make a chart of your numbers. You should test your blood in the morning, late afternoon and in the evening. Draw three columns on a piece of paper and enter your blood sugar numbers.

Your doctor will be grateful for the information. He will order another blood test. Elderly diabetes is very manageable.

Lifestyle Changes

In order to control blood sugar numbers, food and exercise need attention. Let’s talk about exercise first. All that is needed is a daily walk. Thirty minutes of walking fits the bill. If you have access to a pool, water aerobics is a good choice for exercise.

Exercise proves to lower blood sugar numbers. It really is essential to help you have better results.
Once you start exercising, you will feel better, and you will want to do it again.

Food is the next topic. The guidelines are simple. Stay away from processed foods and sweet treats. Eat a balanced meal with protein, complex carbohydrates and a little fat.
There is a Diabetes Food Guide on this web site. You would find it very helpful. There are Recipes for Diabetes that you might like.

As difficult as it is to change or adjust one’s lifestyle, it is essential for diabetes control. You do not want to deal with the complications of diabetes. Remember, they are “silent killers”. Ask your doctor, if this is true.

Conclusion

Diabetes in elderly people needs attention. With some minor lifestyle changes, elderly diabetes can be controlled. Let us know if you have any questions about diabetes. We are always happy to hear from our readers.

Written by: Margaret Stenerson
April 18, 2010