Senior Citizens Offered Help in Dealing with a
Diabetes Diagnosis
Almost 10.5 million adults aged 60 and older in the
U.S. have diabetes
By the National Diabetes Education Program
Senior citizens who have been told by a health care
professional that they have type 2 diabetes usually feel anxious or
uncertain. But if there is comfort in numbers that should know they are
not alone almost 10.5 million adults aged 60 and older in the U.S.
have diabetes. Diabetes is serious, but it can be managed. The National
Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) offers tips to help older adults learn
to manage diabetes, avoid or delay serious complications, and live
longer, healthier lives.
Thiazolidinediones medications (including rosiglitazone
(Avandia)
produced a significantly increased risk of heart attack, congestive
heart failure and death
A diabetes diagnosis means that your blood glucose
(sugar) is too high. You will need to keep your blood glucose under
control to help you avoid or delay serious complications such as heart
disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, and other
health problems.
Your blood always has some glucose in it because
your body needs it for energy, but too much is not good for your health.
Your pancreas makes insulin, which helps glucose get from your blood
into your cells. Cells then take glucose and turn it into energy. If you
have type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes some insulin but cells
cannot use it very well. You may need to take insulin or pills to help
your bodys supply of insulin work better.
Youll need to take good care of yourself and your
diabetes to feel better and stay healthy. One way to help prevent
diabetes complications is to manage your ABCs:
A
is for the A1C test. It measures your average blood glucose level over
the past three months.
B
is for blood pressure. High blood pressure makes your heart work too
hard.
C
is for cholesterol. Bad cholesterol, or LDL, builds up and clogs your
arteries.
Ask your health care team these questions so you
can know how to manage your ABCs:
· ● Should I check my
blood glucose? If so, when, and how often?
· ● What should I do
if my blood glucose is too high or too low?
· ● What are my ABC
numbers? What should my ABC numbers be?
· ● Do I qualify for
any Medicare benefits that will help me manage my diabetes?
· ● How can I learn
more about how to make healthy food choices and be physically active?
· ● Where can I learn
more about how to manage my diabetes?
Learn how to make small changes to manage your
diabetes.
Healthy eating and regular physical activity are
keys to good health at any age especially if you have diabetes. Choose
healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken
or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains, and low-fat
or nonfat milk products. If you are unable to cook for yourself, find
out about a community program in your area that serves or delivers
meals. Call the
Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 for information on the program
nearest you.
Physical activity can improve your strength,
flexibility, and balance. Ask a health care professional about ways you
can safely increase the amount of physical activity you do. Set small
goals to start until you reach at least 30 minutes a day, five days a
week. If allowed, work toward doing strength exercises on two or three
days a week strengthening activities require your muscles to use force
against a resistance, such as gravity, weights, or exercise bands.
Ask your family, friends, and younger people in
your life to help you. They can encourage you, lend a hand with
setbacks, and be there to celebrate your successes!
Understand which diabetes benefits are covered
by Medicare.
Medicare pays for part of the cost of diabetes
equipment and supplies, including blood glucose meters, test strips, and
lancets. It also covers diabetes self-management training, which helps
you learn how to manage diabetes, and medical nutrition therapy
services, which help you learn which foods are best to eat and how much
food is right for you.
Medicare Part B helps pay for other services such
as an A1C test, dilated eye exam to check for diabetic eye diseases,
glaucoma screening, flu shot and pneumococcal pneumonia shot, and foot
care if you have nerve damage in either foot due to diabetes.
Additionally, Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription
drugs. Talk to your health care professional about the Medicare benefits
available to you and call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit
www.medicare.gov for more information.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Diabetes Education Program is jointly sponsored by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) with the support of more than 200 partner
organizations.
More News on Diabetes from SeniorJournal.com
Archives
