People aged 65 and over are more prone to developing diabetes than younger adults, but there are ways to reduce its risk. If you are concerned your senior loved one’s lifestyle puts him or her at higher risk for diabetes, Victoria elder care professionals have a few suggestions to help keep him or her healthy and prevent the condition.
Encourage Physical Activity
Inactivity leads to a buildup of glucose levels in the body. When glucose is underutilized, the body stores it as fat, which increases the risk of diabetes. To break down glucose, your loved one can perform some low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, and yoga. In addition to helping your loved one stay trim, working out can enhance his or her insulin sensitivity and keep his or her blood pressure in check.
Provide Nutritious Meals
Following a clean diet can help your loved one maintain a healthy weight and prevent diabetes. Your loved one should avoid salty, fatty, and processed foods, simple carbohydrates, and fizzy drinks because they are all high in calories, which can result in drastic weight gain. Too much glucose in the body can also cause issues with digestion like diarrhea and constipation, but consuming vegetables and fruits for fiber, complex carbohydrates, freshly squeezed juices, and seeds can have a positive impact on the digestive system and the entire body as well.
Discourage Heavy Alcohol Consumption
Too much alcohol triggers weight gain, which in turn leads to increased chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Excessive alcohol intake also causes chronic pancreatitis, which frequently comes with the major complication of diabetes. However, moderate alcohol intake may increase the efficiency of insulin at getting glucose inside cells. Elderly women should not have more than one standard drink per day, while elderly men should have two at most.
Attend Regular Checkups Together
It is easier to work toward preventing a disease than to try to cure it once it has developed. Regular medical checkups on blood sugar and BMI can help point out if your loved one has any possible diabetes tendencies. The earlier a diabetes threat is caught, the more favorable the chances of preventing or managing it.
If your loved one needs help maintaining healthy habits to prevent diabetes and other serious conditions, reach out to Home Care Assistance. We are a leading provider of respite and live-in care Victoria families trust, and all of our caregivers are trained in the Balanced Care Method, an evidence-based program that encourages seniors to eat well, exercise regularly, and focus on other healthy lifestyle factors. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, call (250) 592-4881 today.