6 Comprehensive Strategies for Managing Diabetes in the Elderly

Diabetes is a complex, often misunderstood medical condition. There are a lot of factors that go into managing diabetes in the elderly and figuring it out without help can be daunting. 

With proper monitoring and care, diabetes doesn’t have to stop someone from enjoying their golden years. At Senior Services of America communities, we understand the critical importance of proper diabetes management to overall health and happiness. 

Read on to learn more about managing diabetes in the elderly and our communities can help you and your loved ones enjoy their golden years.  

Table of Contents

• What Are the Risks Associated With Inadequate Diabetes Management in Older Adults?
• How Do You Control Diabetes in the Elderly? 
• 6 Approaches to Diabetes Management for Seniors
• 5 Benefits of Senior Care Facilities for Elderly Patients With Diabetes
• Senior Services of America Understands How to Holistically Manage Diabetes in Elderly Adults

What Are the Risks Associated With Inadequate Diabetes Management in Older Adults?

According to the American Diabetes Association, over 29% of Americans age 65 or over have diabetes, with 1.2 million cases being diagnosed every year. With that many diabetic seniors, proper diabetes management education in the elderly community is more important than ever. 

Diabetes does not have to be a hindrance. With proper management and medical care, diabetes will not impede an elderly patient from enjoying life. However, if diabetes is not properly managed, it can have dire health implications. Some risks associated with inadequate diabetes management in the elderly include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Diabetic neuropathy, or chronic nerve damage caused by diabetes 
• Hypoglycemia unawareness
• Kidney disease

In addition, there is evidence that improperly managed type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of diabetes, can increase the likelihood of depression, dementia, and certain types of cancer in the elderly. With so many possible risks, it’s important to know how to best manage this disease. 

How Do You Control Diabetes in the Elderly? 

The best way for an elderly patient to control their diabetes is to practice a healthy lifestyle. Seniors are encouraged to continue exercising and eating right while also tracking glucose levels and taking medications as instructed by their doctor. 

If seniors have a healthy lifestyle, diabetes can be managed, and diabetes-related illnesses can be avoided. However, if you or your loved one is struggling with managing their diabetes, it might be time to consider a supportive, healthy environment such as a senior living community.

6 Approaches to Diabetes Management for Seniors

Proper management of diabetes is important to overall health, especially for seniors. Here are some tips for managing type 2 diabetes in the elderly.

#1: Track Glucose Levels

The first step in managing diabetes is tracking glucose levels. Tracking glucose levels over time is the only way to determine how well the diabetes treatment is working and preventing dangerous blood sugar fluctuation. This is true of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. 

With glucose monitoring, the patient can see how their blood sugar changes over time, allowing them to make informed choices on insulin dosing, food, and physical activity. This is especially important for managing diabetes in the elderly because the elderly are at high risk of extreme blood pressure changes. 

Luckily, modern science has made tracking glucose levels easier than ever! With a variety of glucose monitoring devices available, patients no longer need to prick their fingers to know their blood glucose level. 

#2: Support Good Nutrition

Diabetes is a disease that is all about blood sugar levels. Elderly patients with diabetes are at great risk of developing hyperglycemia, or dangerously high blood sugar.

Hyperglycemia can cause health complications such as kidney disease, eye disease, and even diabetically induced comas. Therefore, good nutrition is critical to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels in elderly patients. 

Here are some foods that senior diabetics should try to avoid:

• Processed or simple carbs
• Alcohol
• Animal fats such as dairy, fatty meats, etc
• Deep fried foods

Instead, senior diabetes patients should strive to eat healthy fats, complex carbs like whole wheat, and lots of fruits and veggies. 

If you or your loved one is struggling with food shopping and making healthy meals for themselves, consider a senior living community where healthy and delicious meals are provided, leaving time to focus on fun! 

#3: Manage Medications

With proper medication management, diabetes doesn’t have to restrict a patient’s life. The key to staying healthy with diabetes is to manage medications properly. Here are a few tips from the FDA for helping seniors manage medications:

• Follow the doctor’s orders: The first step in managing medication for the elderly is to follow the doctor’s orders exactly. Take the exact dosage at the time suggested by your doctor. Try to take your medication at the same time every day as suggested by your doctor. 
• Be careful with over-the-counter and herbal supplements: These can negatively interact with prescribed medications. Be sure to talk to your doctor about anything you are taking, prescribed or otherwise.
• Be aware of potential side effects: If you are experiencing medication side effects, speak to your doctor right away. 
• Pay attention to expiration dates: Expired medication can be dangerously ineffective. Be sure to monitor your medication expiration dates and properly dispose of all expired medication. 
• Keep a list: Make a list of all medications, supplements, and OTC medication you are taking. Keep the list updated and share it with your doctor during appointments. 

#4: Reduce Stress

Stress has a big impact on diabetes management in elderly patients for two reasons:

• Stress is distracting: Stress can cause you or your loved one to be too overwhelmed to properly manage their diabetes, with disastrous results. 
• Stress can cause insulin resistance: The hormones released by stress prevent the body from absorbing insulin. The resulting insulin resistance causes raised blood sugar, which can be deadly to an elderly diabetic patient. 

Stress is a part of life that cannot be avoided. But it can be managed. Here are a few tips to help elderly patients manage stress:

• Socialize: Spending time with friends and loved ones can help reduce stress.
• Stay hydrated: Did you know that dehydration can lead to poorer brain function? Staying hydrated not only lessens stress, but it is also critical for diabetic patients to stay hydrated. 
• Get adequate sleep: Stressful situations can lead to sleepless nights, creating a self-perpetuating problem. Getting adequate sleep is very important to mental health and well-being. 
• Breathing techniques and meditation: Deep breathing techniques, positive visualization, and meditation are all proven to lower stress levels. 
• Low-impact exercise: This brings us to our next tip for diabetes management in the elderly, encouraging physical activity. 

#5: Encourage Physical Activity

Worried about managing your diabetes? Consider exercise! You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to benefit from physical activity. Just 30-90 minutes of low-impact exercise a week can help with: 

• Increasing insulin sensitivity
• Stress reduction 
• Better sleep
• Healthier joints 
• Maintaining a healthy weight. 

#6: Consider a Care Facility

Managing diabetes as an elderly person is hard. Seniors deserve to live out their golden years free from the stress and hassle that managing diabetes can cause.  

With a care facility like a Senior Services of America community, you or your loved one will be able to relax knowing that their diabetes is being managed by a top care team with oversight by a nurse.

5 Benefits of Senior Care Facilities for Elderly Patients With Diabetes

Diabetes is a complex disease, especially elderly diabetes. Living at a senior care facility has lots of benefits for diabetes management. 

#1: Enhanced Medication Management

It is easy to forget a dose of medication. Unfortunately, forgetting insulin can have dire consequences for an elderly diabetic patient. 

With on-site carers at a senior living community, medication is dispensed on time and correctly dosed. They can even help monitor possible side effects. 

#2: Improved Adherence to Wellness Routines

Managing diabetes in the elderly community involves a lot more than just medication. A healthy diet and fun, low-impact exercise options can help ensure diabetes management. 

Senior Services of America knows the importance of providing delicious, healthy meal options. No more dirty dishes, no more food shopping! They also have a wide variety of fun exercise classes to keep seniors healthy while socializing and having a good time.

#3: Assistance with Daily Activities

Diabetes can have debilitating comorbid disorders that impact daily living. Having a care team present means that you or your loved one will receive assistance with daily activities such as bathing and dressing, allowing for independence for as long as possible. 

This is especially true of residents who may require transitory care — for example, if a diabetic patient begins to develop memory problems. On-site carers will be able to see the symptoms right away and offer helpful suggestions while keeping residents comfortable. Many communities offer multiple levels of care, meaning that your loved one can stay in the same facility as their care needs change. 

#4: Support for Emotional and Mental Well-Being

No one wants to think about being lonely in their old age. In fact, studies have shown that loneliness can have devastating effects on the health of the elderly. 

With a senior living community, you can trust that there will always be someone there to listen and help you through tough emotional times. In addition, most senior living communities offer social events such as dances, exercise classes, seminars, and fun excursions to encourage socialization. 

#5: Boosted Safety and Security

Senior citizens with diabetes are at risk of hypoglycemia, which can cause falls, lack of consciousness, and more. Falls are one of the biggest threats to the elderly community. If no one is around when these medical emergencies happen, the results can be life-threatening. 

That’s why senior communities are so important. With carers on site, you or your loved one never have to worry about being alone after an accident. 

Senior Services of America Understands How to Holistically Manage Diabetes in Elderly Adults

Senior Services of America communities strive to give our beloved elders the best golden years possible. We offer everything from independent living filled with fun activities and social functions to assisted living, memory care, and respite care. 

Our goal is always to have a comfortable, welcoming, and cheerful home that provides all the personal care needed. Find your nearest community today to find out how we can help.