Diabetes Prevention & Management

Diabetes is an inability of the human body to process sugar properly. It is preventable and treatable yet exists in almost epidemic levels in the United States. Though scary at any age, diabetes can be especially problematic for seniors and can result in serious diabetes complications, especially when other health problems may be of concern. At Spring Hills, our assisted living, post-acute care and home care services urge you and your loved one to manage the disease through continued education  and follow these guidelines on preventing and treating diabetes.

Knowing the Signs

Diabetes is especially dangerous for seniors as it can make them more susceptible to developing conditions that damage organs of the body and can make it more difficult for them to heal from injury. There are often no obvious signs that Diabetes is developing but initially, someone might experience more thirst and urinate more frequently. When someone has diabetes, they will often experience:

Fatigue, lethargy and chronic weakness – similar to what you would experience when someone gets the flu.

 A change in weight – weight gain can occur because your body tries to overcompensate for lost fluid and fuel, or weight loss because your muscles are not getting enough fuel.

Numb, tingly or burning extremities – decreased circulation causes nerve damage, and the extremities are often where you feel the effects first.

Vision loss or blurring – sugar is being pulled from the lenses of your eyes and blood vessels are deteriorating in your retina.

Gum disease – your gums are more susceptible to redness and inflammation, putting your teeth at risk.

More infections and slow healing – urinary tract infections become common in seniors, and their wounds make take a long time to heal.

Guidelines for Preventing Diabetes

You or your loved one may be at increased risk of developing Diabetes if any of the following apply:

Being overweight – excess fat increases the body’s resistance to insulin, which is necessary to metabolize blood sugar

Stress or depression – stress and mental health issues are known to raise blood sugar levels and blood pressure and have negative effects on insulin production

History of diabetes in the family – you may have a predisposition to developing diabetes, based on patterns you see in your family’s medical history

If your loved one is at risk of developing Diabetes or already suffers from Diabetes, you should do the following:

Maintain a healthy weight – your loved one can greatly benefit from a diabetes diet and regular physical activity

Eliminate fat and sugar from the diet– ensure that your loved one is eating more vegetables and whole grains while decreasing the intake of animal fats and processed sugars 

Manage stress – have your loved ones undertake relaxing activities and mindful exercises, doing things they enjoy and self-care

Treating Diabetes with Spring Hills

Spring Hills is happy to assist you and your loved one with diabetes prevention and diabetes management, whether your loved one is in our post-acute care centers, assisted living facility or a home care patient. The diet plans at Spring Hills contain all the necessary nutrition with the help of dietitians, and we have many opportunities for exercise with the help of physical therapists, exercise physiologists and fitness classes, whether it’s through chair exercises, Tai Chi classes or taking power walks through our beautiful grounds.

Contact us today and find out how you can help your loved one prevent or maintain diabetes.