Diabetes is one of the biggest health issues not just in America, but the whole world. As the world’s population grows and good health habits decline, we find more and more people suffering from the disease and that diabetes is affecting seniors at an alarming rate.
In fact, it’s currently affecting a huge percentage of seniors—far more than one might initially think. Around 25% of seniors 65 and older have diabetes, and the problem is only getting worse.
Since World Diabetes Day, was recognized this month in November, now is as good of a time to discuss how diabetes affects seniors worldwide, how to raise awareness and also how to prevent diabetes in your own life.
The Effect of Diabetes on Seniors
How serious is the disease?
The World Health Organization expects diabetes to be the seventh leading cause of deaths worldwide by around 2030. This is huge in how diabetes Due to the number of people that have it, particularly seniors, a huge sum of money is spent every year on both treatments and medication to help sustain those with the condition.
In fact, around $245 billion US dollars was spent in 2012 alone to combat diabetes, and much of that was attributed to the direct medical cost of diabetes. $69 billion of that cost was in reduced productivity in the American workforce due to diabetes.
Seniors are at a higher risk of diabetes
By 2050, it’s estimated that we might see one in three people with diabetes. This is largely due to the increasing older population who are typically living longer lives due to the assistance of modern medication sustaining them for longer. As seniors age, the risk of developing diabetes increases and at the current rate we’re going, the best we can hope for is one in five people having diabetes by 2050.
Your age plays a huge role in the type of diabetes you’re diagnosed with. This is because of the way your body handles insulin over your lifetime. Because the elderly have been exposed to sugar for longer than other generations there are diabetes elderly complications, and their chances of developing diabetes become much greater and managing their blood glucose levels becomes more difficult.
Preventing diabetes
So, to help prevent diabetes, here are a couple of things you can do:
- Get active – Glucose burned for energy will help you maintain better blood sugar levels due to the way your muscles use it. If you’re inactive, your muscles won’t burn the glucose and will instead store it, resulting in higher blood sugar levels.
- Get more sleep – Sleep deprivation and similar conditions like sleep apnea are linked to high blood sugar levels. Research has found that poor sleepers have a 23% high blood glucose level in the morning.
- Burn fat – Inactive lifestyles result in more fat, and this can cause inflammation in and around your body. Over time, inflammation has shown to play a role in the development of insulin resistance and this has been related to the presence of diabetes.
- Eat healthier – A healthier lifestyle includes a much better diet. This includes adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet and avoiding unhealthy foods like potato chips, takeout meals, and soda.
We Care about Your Senior with Diabetes at Nevada Adult Day Healthcare Centers
Feel confident that your loved one is in great care at the Nevada Adult Day Healthcare Centers. We provide an array of activities that will help keep your loved one active. This is coupled with a healthy diet. Stop by one of our three adult daycare locations today!
