Helping Seniors Manage Diabetes With Diet and Exercise

Personal Care at Home in Highland Park NJ

A personal care at home team can do more than help seniors with dressing and cleaning. They can also watch for changes in your senior’s health and assist in managing conditions such as diabetes. For seniors and loved ones, having this support at home is crucial to ensure seniors are at their best.

Is Diabetes an Issues For Seniors?

Diabetes is a disease that makes it hard for the body to break down the sugars in food. The Centers for Disease Control has stated that about 25% of the population, or 25 million people over the age of 65, have diabetes.

Managing diabetes at any age can be challenging. Unfortunately, seniors with diabetes are more likely to have issues with vision loss, kidney disease, coronary heart disease, and more.

For seniors to manage their diabetes, they will need help monitoring their blood sugar level, help with healthy meal planning, and encouragement to keep moving throughout the day.

Understanding Blood Sugar Levels

It’s important to understand seniors’ blood sugar levels to ensure proper management of their diabetes. During the day, the amounts should stay in these ranges:

• Blood sugar levels during fasting should be under 100 mg/dL
• Before eating, seniors’ blood sugar levels at rest should be between 70 and 130 mg/dL
• A senior’s blood sugar level should be less than 180 mg/dL for 1 to 2 hours after eating
• At bedtime, the blood sugar level should be between 100 and 140 mg/dL

Healthy Weight Management and Seniors

Personal care at home can help seniors manage their diabetes with a proper diet and physical activity. Seniors should try to add at least 30 minutes of physical exercise to their day. This might mean taking a 30-minute walk or joining a group fitness class. For seniors who have led a sedentary life or have mobility issues, 30 minutes might seem impossible.

Caregivers can help encourage seniors to get moving by participating in activities with them. Additionally, they can motivate seniors to start small and not get encouraged as they increase their daily activity. It’s important to understand that exercise won’t necessarily stop complications or signs of diabetes, but it can help with the management of the disease.

Eating Healthy to Manage Diabetes

Some of the best foods for controlling diabetes are those that are high in fiber, protein, or healthy fats. These nutrients help digestion slow down, which lowers the amount of carbs taken into the blood and keeps your loved one’s blood sugar levels stable.

Healthy meal planning with the help of personal care at home can incorporate healthy carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lentils, beans, and low-fat dairy goods. Additionally, adding boneless chicken gives seniors the protein they need to give them a healthy boost of energy. Seniors handling diabetes should drink a lot of water and stay away from sugary drinks like soda and juice, which can make blood sugar levels go up or down.

With a few adjustments to activity and diet, seniors will be well on their way to managing their diabetes. Loved ones can discuss concerns and tips and tricks with medical professionals and personal care at home aids to ensure seniors have what they need.

Source:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/elderly-blood-sugar-levels-chart-5176546
https://activebeat.com/health-news/15-foods-to-help-manage-diabetes/
https://www.healthshots.com/fitness/diabetes-diet-for-elderly-be-mindful-of-what-you-eat/
https://ncoa.org/article/why-its-important-to-eat-healthy-when-you-have-diabetes

If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home in Highland Park, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care today. Call (732) 607-8870.

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Care Street Home Care Staff

Care Street Home Health Care LLC is a division of Ocean Healthcare, a network of New Jersey-based healthcare centers and services founded in 1973 by Melvin and Debbie Feigenbaum. Melvin and Debbie both came from warm, close-knit backgrounds that emphasize the centrality of family. The values of respect, responsibility, and dignity run deep in the Feigenbaum family; they share a strong sensitivity to the importance of caring for others, particularly the elderly and disabled.

The Care Street mission is straightforward and compelling: to provide a comprehensive range of the highest quality home health services in a professional and efficient manner that will enhance our clients' quality of life and empower families to keep their loved one at home.

Care Street has earned a reputation of excellence among hundreds of families, and is recommended by medical professionals and hospital discharge planners throughout the State.

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