According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in ten Americans have diabetes and about 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. These numbers are likely attributed to lifestyle factors that heighten the risk of developing type 2 diabetes with aging. They include decreased physical activity and consuming more sugars and saturated fats in the diet daily. The risk of type 2 diabetes also predominantly increases with age, especially after the age of 45. Here are some tips to help you or your loved one prevent type 2 diabetes.
Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
It is important to devise and commit to a healthy balanced diet with a good mix of nutrition. Eating the right foods in the right amount at regular times can aid in controlling blood sugar levels in the body. You should also replace sugary, high-fat foods or snacks with healthy snacks such as almonds, cashews, fruits, and yogurt.
At Discovery Commons South Biscayne, all our community living options include our dining program, Sensations Dining, which provides our residents with delicious and nutritious meals that cater to their nutritional needs as well.
Stay Active
Increased physical activity, in general, can help to lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and prediabetes and diabetes risk. It is essential to ditch the sedentary lifestyle and stay active regularly. Take a walk on a trail, stroll along the paths at the nearby park, or even do simple exercises like stretching and chair exercises. Short bouts of activity even for ten minutes can provide a boost to the body’s energy and endurance.
Prevent and Treat Diabetes Complications
As crucial as it is managing blood sugar, it’s also imperative to keep a watchful eye on cholesterol and blood pressure levels and keep it under control. Do go for scheduled physical and eye exams regularly to check for any symptoms of diabetes. The possible signs can include heart disease and nerve, eye, or kidney damage. It’s important to uncover the possible complications so they can be treated early.
Customize Blood Sugar Control
Work with your diabetes care team to establish customized blood sugar targets, which can stabilize the risks of high and low blood sugar levels. However, for some older adults suffering from vision or memory problems and physical frailty, the risks of hypoglycemia are higher than those with slightly higher glucose levels. The main aim should be to achieve optimal blood sugar control without risking low blood sugar.
Take Care of Your Feet
Diabetes may cause neuropathy that makes it more difficult to feel a foot injury. If left untreated or unnoticed, the wounds resulting from the injury can become infected and may develop complications. To keep the feet healthy, conduct proper foot care by doing daily inspections for cuts and cracks.
Get the Best Community Care at Discovery Commons South Biscayne
If your loved one requires assistance with daily living activities, do consider our community’s senior assisted living program. We can provide personalized care, bathing, medication, and insulation management among a variety of other services by our professional and well-trained team. Do contact us to find out more!
