assisted living facilities

Assisted Living Facilities for Seniors Living With Diabetes

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The number of people with diabetes in the U.S. alone has already reached a ratio of one out of four. Sadly, this case has been deemed to have no cure. That’s why people living with diabetes, particularly seniors, need to manage the disease as best as possible. Fortunately, managing it has now become easier even with seniors in assisted living facilities. In fact, there are smarter ways in order to live with diabetes. Take a look at how you can live a satisfying life even with diabetes.

 

 

Types of Diabetes

 

The first thing that you should know about diabetes is that there are different types. Moreover, it is attributed to high blood glucose levels as do other diseases, which results from the defect in the production and use of insulin in the body.

 

  • Type 1 Diabetes – insulin produced by the pancreas controls the glucose levels of the body. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin. Therefore, people having this condition require insulin via injection or pump. Type 1 diabetes accounts in 5% of all adults with diabetes. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes include extreme hunger, fatigue, frequent urination, unusual thirst, and weight loss.

 

  • Type 2 Diabetes – This occurs when the pancreas is not able to create a substantial amount of insulin or unable to use it effectively. This develops typically in people more than 40 years old. In fact, it accounts for about 95% of all cases of adults with diabetes. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes include blurred vision, confusion, depression, numbness, and wounds that heal slowly, as well as any of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

 

 

 

Causes of Diabetes

 

The causes of diabetes baffle even doctors, because they are unable to pinpoint the specific cause. Nevertheless, aging, genetics, and lifestyle can play a major part in the development of diabetes.

 

 

Controlling Diabetes

 

It might not be enough for some people to control diabetes with exercise and diet alone. In such cases, it can be done via oral medications in order to increase insulin levels or to aid in the ability of the body is responding to insulin. The drugs recommended for such cases include:

 

  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
  • Biguanides
  • Sulfonylureas
  • Thiazolidinediones

 

 

Seniors Living with Diabetes

 

Here are some important tips intended for seniors living with diabetes, which has been recommended by the American Association of Diabetes (AAD) to be performed on a daily basis. In short, these tips are recommendations only, but at the end of the day, your health will depend on how you manage your lifestyle.

 

  • Checking the blood glucose
  • Consuming the right kinds of foods at just the right measurements
  • Get active
  • Find out more about diabetes
  • Stop smoking
  • Take medicines only prescribed by your doctor

 

 

It is also important to know which foods to avoid for seniors in assisted living facilities. According to the AAD, here are food tips to consider for those older than 55 years of age.

 

  • Avoid all-you-can-eat buffets
  • Choose a vegetable or fruit instead of fries on the side
  • Get dressings and sauces on the side
  • Split the dessert with your partner or eat only half of what you used to consume
  • Start eating with salad or broth-based soup
  • Utilize the plate method

 

Contact Richmont Senior Living for more information on our assisted living facilities today!

 

 

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco