Conservative estimates say that around 33% of seniors over the age of 65 have diabetes. Managing diabetes can be tough for seniors that are living independently, but in-home care can help. With in-home care, seniors will have someone in the home to help them cook healthy meals, cheque their blood sugar, and learn more about managing their diabetes. Seniors usually need to combine a healthy diet, exercise, and medical intervention to successfully manage their diabetes.
Get More Exercise
Seniors with diabetes should be exercising for at least 150 minutes per week. That may sound like a lot but it’s really just 20-30 minutes per day. Seniors don’t have to do strenuous exercise to make that exercise count. Just a brisk walk once a day can dramatically improve a senior’s health and lower their A1C. Seniors can add more activity to their days however they want. All that matters really is that they are more active. Walking around the block, walking in place, or joining a gym all accomplish the same goal. Getting more active is the key to managing diabetes for seniors.
Eat Unprocessed Foods
Seniors that have diabetes already know that they’re not supposed to eat foods with added sugar. But added sugar can show up in many foods that seniors may not expect to have sugar, like tomato sauce. In-home care can help seniors prepare healthier meals and try interesting new foods to keep them from getting bourd with their diet. But seniors should really be eating more unprocessed or whole foods to cut down on the amount of additives, sugar, and other chemicals that they are eating. Eating unprocessed bulk grains and lean meats with fresh vegetables is the ideal diet for seniors with diabetes.
Talk To The Doctor
Many seniors with diabetes don’t have a good relationship with their doctor. Your senior parent should be able to talk to their doctor and ask questions about how to better manage their diabetes. If your senior parent’s doctor isn’t willing to listen to them or answer their questions it might be time to find a new doctor. A doctor should be an advocate for seniors with diabetes that takes the time to help seniors find effective management techniques.
Reduce Stress
Stress can have a big impact on health. Chronically stressed out people can have worse symptoms of diabetes and can have a difficult time getting their diabetes under control. Controlling stress and finding healthy tools to help lower stress like yoga classes can help keep your senior parent healthier even if they have diabetes. Taking classes, reading, medication, and exercise can all help seniors reduce stress so that they can be in better health. You may want to talk with your senior parent about activities that they enjoy then help them go do those things so that they can get the benefits of having less stress.
If you or an ageing loved one are considering In-Home Care in St. Albert, please contact the caring staff at Serving Hands Senior Care today. Call (780) 963-1516
Premiere Home Health and Senior Home Care services in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Devon, St. Albert, Edmonton, Onoway, Leduc, Parkland County and surrounding communities since 2016.
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