It’s estimated that more than 33% of seniors have diabetes, and that number increases every year. If your senior parent is living independently, it’s very important that they make good lifestyle choices and do what they can to manage their diabetes.
Unregulated diabetes can cause seniors to have a high risk of many serious health problems. But many seniors struggle to manage their blood sugar at home because they lack support.
Home care providers can help your parent manage their diabetes at home. Daily visits from an experienced care provider give your parent the consistent encouragement they need to make their health a priority. And a home care provider can help your parent by helping them make healthy meals, learn more about diabetes, and reminding them when it’s time to take their medication.
Why It’s So Important For Your Parent To Manage Their Diabetes
Diabetes can cause seniors to have a high risk for many different health problems, some of which can even be life-threatening. Diabetes that isn’t under control can cause seniors to develop health problems like:
Heart disease
One of the biggest dangers of unmanaged diabetes is heart disease. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and make the heart work harder than it should. Over time, this raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
Seniors who already have weaker hearts face even greater risk. Signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, and sudden fatigue can be warnings, but some people feel no symptoms at all until a major problem happens.
Nerve damage
High blood sugar can harm nerves throughout the body, leading to a condition called neuropathy. Seniors may feel tingling, numbness, or burning pain, especially in the feet and hands. This nerve damage makes it harder to sense injuries or temperature changes.
A small cut or blister can go unnoticed and turn into a serious infection. Nerve damage can also affect digestion, balance, and bladder control.
Vision loss
Unmanaged diabetes can cause major eye problems. High blood sugar harms the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, which can lead to blurry vision, floaters, or dark spots. The most serious condition is diabetic retinopathy, which can cause permanent vision loss if it is not treated early.
Seniors already face age-related vision changes, and uncontrolled diabetes makes those issues much worse. Regular eye exams are important because many eye problems do not show clear symptoms at first.
Kidney disease
The kidneys filter waste from the blood. When blood sugar stays high for too long, the kidneys have to work much harder, which causes damage over time. This can lead to chronic kidney disease.
In serious cases, the kidneys may start to fail. Seniors with unmanaged diabetes also face higher risks of swelling in the legs, fatigue, and dangerous fluid buildup. Controlling blood sugar, staying hydrated, and seeing a doctor for regular testing can help protect kidney health.
Slow healing and infections
Seniors with unmanaged diabetes often heal more slowly than others. High blood sugar affects circulation and weakens the immune system. This makes it harder for the body to fight off germs.
Cuts, bruises, and sores take longer to improve, which increases the chance of infection. Infections in the feet are especially dangerous and can lead to hospitalization if not treated quickly. Good wound care and proper diabetes management help lower this risk.
Home Care Can Help
Healthy low-carb meals and snacks, good foot hygiene, and light exercise like walking or stretching can make a difference in your parent’s health if they have diabetes. A home care provider can be with your parent each day to encourage them to make healthy choices when you can’t be.
Call today to learn more about how home care can help your parent.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Apache Junction, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Legacy Home Care today. Call (480) 777-0070
Legacy Home Care is a top provider of home care services in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Phoenix, and surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
- https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/diabetes-and-older-adults
Legacy Home Care has been serving the valley since 2007. We are family owned and operated with over 75 caregivers. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as: Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans' Home Care program.
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