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Type 2 Diabetes Prevention in NY/NJ Seniors

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in NY and NJ Seniors

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, a resistance to insulin, or both. There are two types of diabetes, easily remembered as Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1

Type 2

·         body makes little or no insulin o   Body is making insulin but cannot use it correctly
·         Most common in children/young adults o   Known as “adult-onset diabetes.”
·         Generally genetic or hereditary o   Diet, lack of exercise, and family history may affect

Type 2 diabetes is very common in older populations.

Senior woman checking her sugar level because she has diabetes that needs to be managed.Lack of exercise, activity, stress and medications can increase risk. Alvita Caregivers have knowledge and experience in diabetic care management and are accustomed to the medical issues diabetes can cause. Our home caregivers want to encourage a routine that works for you.

High blood sugar levels can cause multiple symptoms, including:

  • Fatigue
  • Blurry Vision
  • Frequent urination
  • Excess thirst
  • …and more

Diabetes carries with it the dangers of other long-term health complications, such as heart attacks, blindness, and eye disease, kidney disease, as well as putting some at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Although maintaining a healthy lifestyle is so important, pre-diabetes symptoms can be difficult to observe without medical training. At your next check-up, discuss any risk factors you may have for pre-diabetes and any measures you can take to improve your health and happiness. Some dentists are even checking patients’ teeth and gums to check for a known correlation between periodontitis (swollen, tender, or receding gums) and diabetes.

Luckily, Type 2 diabetes is reversible with lifestyle changes, especially by losing weight and eating a well-balanced diet, and sometimes in addition to medication. Many senior and community centers offer weekly blood pressure screenings as well as organize groups of at-risk individuals in exercise and dietary contests or support groups.

As a New York/New Jersey area senior, it is important to moderate a healthy lifestyle and diabetes prevention with care and understanding of your own personal physical limitations. If diagnosed with diabetes, keeping it under control can be overwhelming for you. With support to help you remember to take medication or to check insulin levels and to guide you safely through any exercises or dietary restrictions, getting on track to a healthy, strong you are eminently possible!

With Alvita Care, our caregivers are available for in-home care all around NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester. We work with your abilities and your doctors’ or nurses’ recommendations of care management to create a daily routine that works for you! Please call us at 212-273-0490 to discuss setting up care or companionship.

 


[1]   http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/diabetes/overview.html

[2]  https://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/26/diabetes-prevention-that-works/