Reducing the Risks of Developing Diabetes 2
Diabetes is a health condition in which blood sugar levels start to rise too high. With Diabetes 2, this occurs usually later in life and is often undetected for a significant amount of time without regular checkups. Those high glucose levels can then cause damage to the blood vessels, leading to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health complications. There are risk factors that will increase the possibility of developing Type 2 Diabetes. An in-home care provider can help a senior reduce their modifiable risk factors in several areas.
Type 2 Diabetes Non-modifiable Risk Factors for the Elderly
Age
Simply put, the older your loved one gets, the risk of him developing Type 2 Diabetes increases. This is often because a lifetime of bad habits eventually adds up in your loved one’s body.
Race
Some ethnicities have a greater risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Asian Americans, Black Americans, Latin Americans, and Pacific Islanders all have an increased risk.
Hereditary
A family history of Type 2 Diabetes increases a person’s risk, especially if it is a close family member like a parent or a sibling.
Gestational Diabetes
If your loved one had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
While there is nothing your loved one can do to reduce the above risks, if she finds she has several of those risks, managing her lifestyle choices will be even more important to help her reduce her overall risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. She might be able to make some of these changes on her own, but it often helps to provide an in-home care team to help her implement long-term lifestyle changes to improve her odds of not developing type 2 diabetes.
Two Risk Factors an In-Home Care Provider Can Help Improve
Lack of Physical Activity
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is by staying active. Consistent physical activity helps the body reduce the possibility of developing insulin resistance. If the body can use its insulin effectively, your loved one will reduce her risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Three guidelines for activity your in-home care provider can help monitor and encourage ;
- At least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week or at least 150 minutes a week.
- When possible, vigorous aerobic activity for 75 of those minutes (swimming, biking, or power walking).
- Strength-building exercises to increase muscle mass.
Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of keeping the body healthy and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Even just losing 5-10% of body weight when overweight, can help the body manage its insulin levels better. In addition to increasing exercise levels, managing food intake is an important part of keeping a healthy weight.
Three easy changes your in-home care provider can do to help your loved one reduce calorie intake.
- Substitute high-fat, high-calorie foods for lower-calorie foods that keep the body feeling full.
- Serve smaller portions. Learning what a portion of rice looks like can help a loved one stop a pattern of overeating. An in-home care provider can make sure proper food portions are served.
- Have fresh, healthy snacks easily at hand.
Simple changes to modifiable risk factors can help your loved one reduce the role those non-modifiable risk factors will play.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care Services in Fort Valley GA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, Gray, Milledgeville, Forsyth, Cochran, Jeffersonville, Eastman, Fort Valley, and the surrounding areas.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare has been providing in-home care services since 2002 throughout the Macon and Middle Georgia Area.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services provides in-home care that improves the lives of the clients. Our services help them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. We provide In-home private duty care and care management services for seniors throughout the Middle Georgia area.
Our CNA (certified nursing aides), caregiver, and companion services allow our clients to age in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure - at home. Combine our Home Care Services, with our Geriatric Care Management component, and we provide the most comprehensive assistance for the Middle Georgia areas seniors.
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