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Diabetes Statistics for Senior Citizens and Baby
Boomers
May 31, 2005 American Diabetes
Association
Click for latest
Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the
United States. This year, more than 213,000 will die from the disease
and its related complications. The total annual economic cost of
diabetes in 2002 was estimated to be $132 billion, or one out of every
10 health care dollars spent in the United States.
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Medicare & Diabetes |
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Beginning January 1, 2005, Medicare covers the
following diabetes-related services:
Welcome to Medicare Physical
For new beneficiaries enrolling after January 1,
2005, Medicare will cover a one-time thorough review of your
health, education and counseling about the preventive services
you need, such as certain screenings and shots, and referrals
for other care if you need it.
You must have the exam within the first six
months that you have Medicare Part B.
Diabetes Screening (Fasting Plasma Glucose
Test)
Medicare will cover tests to check for diabetes.
These tests are available to individuals with any of the
following risk factors: high blood pressure, increased
cholesterol, obesity, or a history of abnormally high blood
glucose (sugar) levels. In addition, these tests are available
for those individuals who have at least two of the following
risk factors: overweight, family history of diabetes (parents,
brothers, sisters), a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes
during pregnancy), delivery of a baby weighing more than 9
pounds, and age of 65 or older.
Based on the results of these tests, you may be
eligible for 1 or 2 diabetes screenings every year. Talk to your
doctor for additional information. |
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Studies indicate that diabetes is generally
under-reported on death certificates, particularly in the cases of older
persons with multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease and
hypertension. Because of this, the toll of diabetes is believed to be
much higher than officially reported.
Prevalence
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Diabetes prevalence increases with age.
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Approximately half of all diabetes cases occur in people
older than 55 years of age.
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The risk for type 2 diabetes increases with age.
Approximately 18.3% (8.6 million) of the United States population age 60
and older have diabetes.
Seniors and diabetes-related complications
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The complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke,
vision loss/blindness, amputations and kidney disease.
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Heart disease and stroke. More than 65% of people with
diabetes will die of heart disease or stroke, and they are likely to die
younger that people who do not have diabetes. People with diabetes have
the same cardiovascular risk as if they have already had a heart attack.
People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease
(more than 77,000 deaths due to heart disease annually). Heart disease
death rates are also 2 to 4 times as high as adults without diabetes.
And, people with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer a
stroke.
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Blindness due to diabetic retinopathy. Each year 12,000 to
24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes. Diabetes is the
leading cause of new blindness in people 20-74 years of age.
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Kidney disease due to diabetic nephropathy. Ten to 21% of all
people with diabetes develop kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy is the
leading cause of end-stage renal disease (kidney failure), accounting
for 43% of new cases. In 2000, 41,046 people with diabetes initiated
treatment for end-stage renal disease, and 129,183 people with diabetes
underwent dialysis or kidney transplantation. People with diabetes who
are over 65 years of age are twice as likely to be hospitalized for
kidney infections compared with those without diabetes.
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Nerve disease and amputations. About 60-70% of people with
diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which, in
severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. In fact, diabetes is
the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The
risk of a leg amputation is 15-40 times greater for a person with
diabetes. Each year, 82,000 people lose their foot or leg to diabetes.
How Do You Prevent or Delay Diabetes?
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It is possible to prevent or delay the onset of type 2
diabetes by reducing lifestyle risk factors through moderate weight loss
and increased physical activity. A study sponsored by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), and partially funded by the American
Diabetes Association, called the Diabetes Prevention Program has shown
that lifestyle changes can significantly delay and possibly prevent
diabetes.
What is needed for seniors with diabetes?
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In ideal circumstances, people with diabetes will have their
disease under good control and have access to quality diabetes care
including frequent monitoring by a health care team knowledgeable in the
management of diabetes.
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Access to quality treatment is important. People with
diabetes need affordable health care. As of July 1, 1998, Medicare will
reimburse all patients with diabetes, regardless of insulin treatment,
for the cost of blood glucose monitors and testing strips as well as
non-hospital based diabetes education when provided by a certified
provider.
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Health care team education is vital. Because people with
diabetes have a multi-system chronic disease, they are best monitored
and managed by highly skilled health care professionals trained with the
latest information on diabetes to help ensure early detection and
appropriate treatment of the serious complications of the disease. A
team approach to treating and monitoring this disease serves the best
interests of the patient.
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Patient education is critical. People with diabetes can
reduce their risk for complications if they are educated about their
disease, learn and practice the skills necessary to better control their
blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and receive
regular checkups from their health care team. Smokers should stop
smoking, and overweight people with diabetes should develop a moderate
diet and exercise regimen under the guidance of a health care provider
to help them achieve a healthy weight.
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People with diabetes, with the help of their health care
providers, should set goals for better control of blood glucose levels,
as well as blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
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