Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases that affect people over 65 years of age. Eleven million people in this age group have diabetes – more than 1 in 4. If diabetes isn’t discovered or treated, it can damage the body’s organs (heart, nerves), leading to heart disease, stroke, and even amputation of limbs.

It might surprise many people to learn that nonmedical care of diabetes is just as important as medical care. That’s because diet and regular exercise are a vital part of controlling the disease. Diabetes is caused by high blood sugar levels. Older people with it need to monitor their blood sugar levels and watch their carbohydrate intake. (Too much carbohydrate – bread, sugar, fruit – can lead to high blood sugar levels.)

They also need regular exercise – at least 30 to 60 minutes per day. The exercise can be any activity – swimming, bowling, walking, even cleaning the house or walking the dog – but it needs to be regular. Why? Exercise helps the body control and lower blood glucose. It brings more oxygen into the body, because people breathe deeper when they exercise. Finally, exercise relieves fatigue, which can be one of the symptoms of the disease.

Nonmedical home care by caregivers from a Florida home health agency can be very helpful in making sure senior citizens with diabetes watch their carbohydrate intake and exercise. A home caregiver can even join in on a neighborhood walk or a regular dog walk.

A home caregiver can show seniors how to use programs like FitBit or MyFitnessPal that will help them track their exercise and food intake. These programs can be enormously helpful in making the process seem manageable and even fun.

Please contact us for more information.